On the recordFebruary 4, 2015
Today, I rise on behalf of the many Illinois veterans that I represent and their families to draw attention to the high rate of veteran unemployment in America. After fighting for our Nation, far too many military heroes are being forced to fight for a job here at home. Despite many veterans having the leadership skills and work ethic that businesses are looking for, the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans is 6.9 percent, far higher than the national average of 5.6 percent. I am committed to reducing veteran unemployment and helping our heroes find quality work. Last week, I released an updated edition of my veterans resource guidebook to help our veterans get the benefits they have earned and employment resources to get them and their families back in the workforce, but we need to do more. I urge my colleagues to work with me to pass a veterans job bill to put the half million unemployed veterans back to work. ____________________
