Brad Wenstrup: “I thank my distinguished colleague and Chairman Roe for yielding. In November of last year, I joined my colleague and…”

“I thank my distinguished colleague and Chairman Roe for yielding. In November of last year, I joined my colleague and the ranking member of the Health Subcommittee, Representative Brownley, in reintroducing H.R. 4451, the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act. This bill would provide much-needed services to our veterans transitioning out of homelessness and ensure no veteran falls through unintended legislative gaps in programs. We do this by reauthorizing through fiscal year 2022 the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, along with programs designed for female homeless veterans and homeless veterans with children. Additionally, the bill would clarify that those eligible for housing assistance from either a Federal or non-Federal entity are also eligible for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. Currently, a gap arises because the Department of Labor considers veterans participating in these housing assistance programs to no longer be defined as homeless. As such, they are unable to participate in the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, a program that provides vital employment assistance and training. By prioritizing the reintegration of homeless and recently homeless veterans, we will empower our veterans to reenter the workforce and help them regain self-sufficiency. {time} 1645 Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we must ensure that they have the tools to succeed in civilian life.…”