Veterans Employment Readiness Yield Act of 2024
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7653, the Veterans Employment Readiness Yield Act of 2024, introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis), my good friend.
The Veteran Readiness and Employment, or VR&E, program offers vital services to help veterans and servicemembers with service-connected disabilities and those determined to have an employment handicap prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment or live more independently.
This bill would replace the terms ``employment handicap'' and ``serious employment handicap'' with the terms ``employment barrier'' and ``serious employment barrier.''
Historically, the term ``handicap'' has been associated with disadvantage or burden, which does not accurately reflect our veteran population. By making this change, we acknowledge the challenges that veterans with service-connected disabilities often face in the job market. Eliminating the stigma associated with these disabilities will encourage more veterans to participate in the VR&E program, ultimately assisting them in preparing for and securing meaningful employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs requested this change, which has bipartisan support and incurs no cost.
I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis) for his work on veterans' issues during his first term in office. I am proud of his work to open doors at VA for more veterans so they may access the benefits they have earned through their service.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis), my good friend and also a veteran who is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and House Armed Services Committee.
Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7653, the Veterans Employment Readiness Yield Act. On behalf of North Carolina's First Congressional District's veterans, who I am proud to represent, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.
I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), in particular, who co-led the bill with me; the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for moving it forward; and, also, the Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America for endorsing this legislation.
H.R. 7653 amends terminology in the Veteran Readiness and Employment program to replace the term ``employment handicap'' with ``employment barrier'' and the term ``serious employment handicap'' with ``serious employment barrier,'' while leaving the definitions unchanged.
The Veteran Readiness and Employment program helps former servicemembers find jobs and ensure their mental and financial well- being. Updating the terminology will improve efficiency and encourage disabled veterans to use the VR&E program.
No veteran should have any discomfort advocating for themselves and seeking help for their service-connected disabilities. We will not stop fighting until every disabled veteran has what they need to get the assistance that they deserve and have earned.
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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, in closing, I support H.R. 7653, the Veterans Employment Readiness Yield Act of 2024, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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