Congress returned from the Fourth of July recess yesterday, and wasted no time in taking action on two pieces of pending veterans' legislation. Last night the House of Representatives passed two VFW-supported veterans’ bills, increasing cost-of-living allowances, or COLA, for veterans in 2013 and directing federal agencies to recognize military training for federal licenses.
The federal licensing bill, H.R. 4155, entitled the “Veterans Skills to Jobs Act,” was introduced by Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., and spells out how federal agencies must recognize military training and military certifications when evaluating veterans for federal licenses. The VFW sent a letter of support to Denham back in March, urging for the quick passage of the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act.
Currently, the federal government can issue licenses across various sectors, like aerospace operations and maintenance. Denham, who served as an Air Force crew chief, said he personally encountered the challenges to federal licensure when he was forced to attend an additional three years of school to receive a federal license for a field in which the military had already trained him.
In an official statement yesterday, Denham went on to say that his bill would finally close this loophole, ensuring that veterans with highly technical military training could easily secure federal licenses to continue their careers with the federal government.
A Senate companion bill, introduced by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is also scheduled to be voted on this week.
The COLA bill, H.R. 4114, entitled the “Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012,” was introduced by Rep. John Runyan, R-N.N., and ensures that VA compensation for disabled veterans and surviving spouses increases at the same rate as Social Security for 2013; a current projected increase of 1.9 percent.
In March, VFW Legislative Director Ray Kelley generally supported the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act in testimony before the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, but clarified that the VFW disagreed with the provision to round down any increases to the nearest dollar amount.
In his remarks, Kelley called it “a money-saving gimmick that comes at the expense of our veterans.”
Kelley went to say that the committee should also advance another piece of Runyan legislation, the “American Heroes COLA Act,” or H.R. 4142, which would permanently tie annual COLA increases to Social Security increases. Currently, the House must vote each year to link veterans’ COLA to Social Security growth. In his remarks, Kelley called the process “an added step that confuses and leaves veterans feeling uneasy until the COLA bill is passed.”
Both the Veterans Skills Jobs Act and the Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act will now move on to the Senate. Your VFW will continue to track both pieces of legislation. Check back regularly with this blog for updates.
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