Introduction of the Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, since January 2013, veteran unemployment decreased from just under 8 percent to where it is now at 2.7 percent-- the lowest levels since 2001. Despite the progress, barriers to childcare services still exist for low-income and homeless veterans who are seeking employment.

Currently, it is optional for the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to provide childcare assistance under the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E). This means VA is not required to provide childcare assistance even if a veteran qualifies for assistance. According to the VA, during Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, over 131,000 veterans participated in the VR&E Program of which an estimated 43,000 of those veteran participants had one or more child dependents. Of the 131,000 veterans who participated in VR&E Program, only 17 veterans received childcare assistance. In FY2016, 12 veterans received child care assistance.

That is why, today, I am introducing the Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act, which would expand child care services and enable veterans who are participating in VA and Department of Labor workforce development, job training, job placement services, or vocational rehabilitation programs to access childcare services while they participate. Specifically, this bill would make mandatory for VA and DOL to provide childcare services to eligible veteran who are participating in job training or vocational rehabilitation programs.

This is the same bill that Senator Tammy Duckworth--a veteran and hero--introduced in the Senate. I am proud our legislation will ensure that veterans have access to affordable childcare services when they most need it. This bill will provide much needed childcare services to low-income and homeless veterans working towards finding a good and stable job.

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