Political Quotes

“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.…”