Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after President Obama urged Congress to create a new Veterans Jobs Corps that would put veterans to work as first responders or as workers repairing trails, building roads, and doing other projects on public lands:
"After holding a hearing just yesterday on reducing veterans' unemployment, I welcome the idea of a Veterans Jobs Corps. One out of every four combat veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan is out-of-work, and this program could help reduce that number.
"Men and women who've put their lives on the line for our country deserve every opportunity when they return home. Why not provide them the opportunity to continue contributing to the nation they love, whether as firefighters, cops, or rangers? They've already rebuilt Iraq and Afghanistan. It's time to give them the chance to help rebuild America."
Braley is the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
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