Noteboom The Law Firm

Hiring Heroes Act Of 2011 Draws DoD Objections

Iraq and Afghanistan veteran unemployment rates are above 12%. A comprehensive, bipartisan bill addressing veterans employment drew objections from the Department of Defense (DoD), but the bill may fail due to costs, and not these objections.

The legislation addresses both transition assistance as well as training programs for veterans. With such a high unemployment rate, current programs are not doing what they are supposed to do and must be addressed, according to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash).

Military personnel cannot continue to be released into the civilian world without any specific training or support system. The DoD's objections centered on certain aspects of the bill, which included mandatory attendance at Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshops for all military personnel separating from the service.

The DoD's objections were based on them having to keep Guard, Reserve, and soldiers with administrative discharges on active duty until they could attend a workshop. Doing so would increase expenses as there are about 160,000 soldiers who separate and never attend TAP workshops.

The DoD also objected to one of the bill's provisions making federal employment more accessible to veterans. The DoD feels this makes it unnecessarily difficult on non-veterans to obtain the same entry-level positions with the federal government.

Despite the DoD's objections, what may stop this bill from being passed is likely funding. There is still no price tag assigned to the bill, but Congress has been cutting funds for similar legislation over the last year.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.