News

Republicans Say - It’s Not the Job of Congress to Create Jobs!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2011


Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved seven bills, including H.R. 2433, the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act of 2011, which provides retraining assistance to veterans.

Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner (D-CA), expressing his opposition to H.R. 2433 stated that, “I wish the VOW Act was the WOW Act, a Wonderful Opportunity to Work.  Instead, it is the HOW? Act.  How will retraining put veterans to work when there are no jobs in the first place?”

Ranking Member Filner pointed out that while retraining is valuable, it will not reduce the tragically high unemployment rates amongst our Nation’s veterans.  Retraining programs are futile without employment opportunities.

In response to Filner’s remarks, Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL), sponsor of this legislation, argued that it is not the job of Congress to create jobs. 

While the American people are urging their Representatives to focus more on solving unemployment, as Congressional debates have focused on job creation, and while President Obama addressed a Joint Session of Congress regarding the Administration’s jobs proposal, the Republican Majority has failed to address our current national crisis.

Filner concluded that, “Today, Chairman Miller has made it clear that his focus is not to create jobs for veterans and that H.R. 2433 will do little to provide jobs for our veterans who need them.”

 

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