Tim Walz: “I would like to thank the ranking member of Veterans' Affairs. I have had no greater friend since his time here, and we…”

“I would like to thank the ranking member of Veterans' Affairs. I have had no greater friend since his time here, and we are grateful for the work he has done. To Mr. Bilirakis and the entire committee for what has been said by several of my colleagues, it's fitting and appropriate today that we are passing legislation to serve those who have served us. It also is fitting and appropriate that we conduct ourselves in a manner fitting of their service. This committee is one, as Mr. Michaud said and so many others have said. We are proud of the work we do together. This is just another example. I would like to comment just briefly on section 2 of this that my good friend and friend of veterans from Ohio (Mr. Stivers) has been an absolute, outspoken, untiring advocate of to make sure that we employ these veterans when they come home. Last month, President Obama signed in another bill of ours, the Veteran Skills to Jobs Act, that is now the law of the land, making it easier to credential our veterans when they come back. This Nation spends $140 billion training our veterans. These are our best and brightest and most dedicated. When they come back home, they're not victims, but we certainly know there are barriers to employment that we should not be putting up in front of them. {time} 1620 If they've driven that truck and served this Nation in Afghanistan, why should we have to repay to get a CDL license?…”