OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Rep. Cisneros Cosponsors Legislation to Create DOD Program to Secure Job Opportunities for Veterans

Press Release

Date: May 26, 2020
Location: Fullerton, CA
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action Veterans

Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) cosponsored the Work for Warriors Act of 2020 to create a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DoD) that ensures gainful employment for members of the National Guard, reservists, and their spouses. The bill is modeled after the California Work for Warriors program that connects with local businesses to identify job opportunities for veterans and their spouses and creates a pipeline of qualified candidates for willing employers. Rep. Cisneros is an original cosponsor to the Work for Warriors Act of 2020.

"As a Navy Veteran and Co-Chair to the bipartisan Military Transition Assistance Pathway (MTAP) Caucus, I know the challenges our servicemembers face when they transition into civilian life," said Rep. Cisneros. "California's Work for Warriors program sets the bar in how we can better connect veterans and their spouses to local job opportunities, and we need a federal program, too. I'm proud to be an original cosponsor to the Work for Warriors program and expand job resources to all our transitioning National Guardsmen, reservists, and their spouses."

Members of the National Guard, reservists, and their spouses have consistently experienced high rates of underemployment and unemployment. Upon completing military service, many find themselves in precarious financial situations and require assistance, guidance, and direction on how to navigate the civilian workforce.

The Work for Warriors Act would:

Create a pilot program within DOD that directly places unemployed guardsmen, reservists, and their spouses into local job opportunities;
Mandate participating states provide matching dollars in order to qualify for federal funds; and
Require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to congressional defense committees on the outcomes of the pilot program.
Rep. Cisneros is a Navy Veteran, Co-Chair of the Congressional MTAP Caucus, and member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee.


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