Boozman Veterans Bill Passes

Press Release

Boozman Veterans Bill Passes

Legislation introduced by U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) aimed at improving opportunities for disabled veteran-owned small businesses passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote late Thursday.

H.R. 6221 "Improving Veterans' Opportunity in Education and Business Act of 2008" requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and its agents to set aside at least three percent of their contracting funds to purchase goods and services from service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

An amendment to the legislation offered by Boozman in mid July authorizes $10 million for the VA to conduct a five year pilot program to expand the veterans' campus work study program as well as the creation of the Military Occupational Specialty Transition (MOST) to train unemployed veterans who do not have education or training benefits for up to 12 months.

"This legislation will make veterans more competitive in the job market," Boozman said. "Our veterans deserve every opportunity to further their careers, so closing a loophole in a law and providing training that helps in civilian life is a great way to show my continued commitment to veterans.

This legislation fixes a loophole in title 38, United States Code, to require that contracts awarded on behalf of the VA by agents of the Department include a provision to comply with the disabled veteran-owned small business provisions in Public Law 109-461.

Language for the amendments was authored by Chairwoman of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT).

Source