On the recordOctober 9, 2015
The government and the administration are working to pair up and find jobs for veterans. The unemployment rate for veterans we have seen has been a constant issue, and it is going down. But we need to provide them with other opportunities. They were higher unemployment, as we can see, than the regular workforce. So my amendment wants to ensure that, if we lift this ban, women and veterans will benefit. We know, of course, that we have been pushing our educational facilities to engage in STEM, but what we need now is a pipeline for qualified veterans and women looking for jobs right now. Mr. Chairman, I would ask my colleagues to support this Jackson Lee amendment. It causes us to focus on these vulnerable populations--women and veterans--to direct them into the industry. Might I say to my constituents, the energy companies that I represent, a long list of names that I will not name at this time, that we hope that they are focused as well on expanding opportunities in the energy industry for veterans, returning soldiers, if you will, women, and, of course, across-the-board minorities. This is an industry that is moving and growing, and the opportunities should move and grow as well. With that, Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
