Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 5957, the FAA Veteran Transition Improvement Act of 2016. Last November, after passing the House and the Senate by unanimous consent, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act was signed into law. That legislation recognizes that no one who has sustained an injury due to military service should have to choose between earning a paycheck or receiving health care. Specifically, that act provides up to 104 hours of upfront, disabled veteran leave during an employee's first 12 months on the job. The Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act will apply to anyone hired on or after November 5 of this year. However, that legislation only applies to Federal civilian personnel covered under title 5 leave provisions. Consequently, those not covered under title 5--including employees of the FAA--are not able to use these leave benefits. Now, in my own State of Washington, there are more than 650 veterans who work at the FAA; and across the country, more than 15,000 veterans work for the FAA. From 2012 to 2016, the FAA hired between 150 to 350 veterans each year--men and women who have served our country but may be unable to get the health care that they need. So in an effort to expand these benefits to disabled veterans hired by the FAA, Representative LoBiondo joined me in introducing this bipartisan bill earlier this month. H.R.…”