Madam Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin, Ranking Member Boozman, and members of the subcommittee:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit for the record the following testimony to this Subcommittee on several bills and draft bills.  I will address the bills in the order they are listed in your letter of invitation.

H.R. 4255, United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act of 2007

This bill would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to the Paralympic Program of the United States Olympic Committee among other purposes.  We defer to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

H.R. 3786, Servicemembers Telecom Contract Relief Act

This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow individuals called to military service to terminate telecommunications contracts entered into before the individual receives notice of a permanent change of station or deployment orders.  We defer to the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Federal Communications Commission.

H.R. 2721 (no title)

This bill amends title 10, United States Code, “to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop, and the Secretary of Defense to distribute to members of the Armed Forces upon their discharge or release from active duty, information in a compact disk read-only memory format that lists and explains the health, education, and other benefits for which veterans are eligible under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.” We defer to DoD and VA.

H.R. 6070, Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the residency of spouses of military personnel. We defer to DoD.

H.R. 6272, SMOCTA Reauthorization Act of 2008

This bill reauthorizes the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act (SMOCTA) of 1992. In addition to the authorized funding levels contained in the original Act, the bill further authorizes appropriations in the amount of $60 million annually for fiscal years 2009 through 2018.  This reauthorization impacts §1143, title 10 U.S.C. SMOCTA was originally authorized by P.L. 102-484.

The original version of SMOCTA was implemented jointly by DoD, VA, and the Department of Labor (DOL).  The program was authorized in title 10 U.S.C. (DoD), and funded through DoD appropriations. SMOCTA was initiated during a time when the military was downsizing its active duty force.  Military personnel who soon would be veterans as a result of this downsizing were targeted as the population to be served.  Military personnel who had no readily transferable skills were the main focus. 

SMOCTA established a veterans’ job training program that became effective October 23, 1992. The program was carried out by payments to employers who employed and trained eligible persons. Employers had to apply to VA for approval of a training program.  When a program was approved by the VA regional office of jurisdiction, that office furnished the employer an approval letter.  

SMOCTA provided assistance in the form of reimbursements to employers with approved programs to offset the cost of training provided to recently separated service members for stable and permanent positions that involved significant training (6-18 months). Besides the reimbursements to employers, SMOCTA provided funds for assessments, development of training plans and supportive services for the trainee. Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives developed employment and training plans and assisted in the recruitment, referral and placement of those individuals.

DOL believes that this program has been superseded by other initiatives to provide employment and training assistance, such as the services offered by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), and the Jobs for Veterans Act that mandates a priority of service for veterans in WIA programs and in all other DOL funded employment and training programs.  

WIA provides individuals more training choices and greater control over their training.  WIA offers comprehensive employment services, including job counseling, job search and referrals, resume preparation, and other assistance.  It also provides intensive training through community colleges and other training providers for those who need skills or need to change or upgrade their skills.  These services are easily accessed through WIA’s network of more than 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers operated by states and local governments nationwide.  Innovative programs such as “Helmets to Hardhats” have been training returning veterans in skilled construction trades.  Returning veterans are also eligible for VA veterans’ education assistance.  

The VETS Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information to veterans about these programs and resources prior to their discharge from the service.  

Today’s military is highly trained and skilled.  Their overall lower than average unemployment rates are a testament to employers’ positive attitudes toward employing this generation of veterans. We are hearing from employers that they want to hire today’s veterans because they see them as a valuable resource to their enterprises.

H.R. 6221, Veterans-Owned Small Business Protection and Clarification Act of 2008

This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in each contract entered into by the VA for the acquisition of goods and services a provision that requires the contractor to comply with the contracting goals and preferences for small business concerns owned or controlled by veterans.  We defer to VA.

H.R. 6225, Injunctive Relief for Veterans Act of 2008

The bill amends section 4323(e) of title 38, U.S. Code, to require that injunctive relief and other equitable remedies under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act be granted by courts at their discretion in appropriate cases.  The Department of Labor has no objection to the provisions of this bill.

H.R. ___, Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008

This bill directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of certain qualifying work-study activities under title 38, United States Code.  We defer to VA.

That completes my testimony, and I would be happy to provide responses to questions for the record.