Chairwoman Herseth-Sandlin and Ranking Member Boozman:

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.  As representatives of the people, it is our job to help our constituents navigate the federal bureaucracy.  As you know, a significant portion of casework every year is generated by thousands of veterans seeking assistance with benefits and services.  I cannot think of a more appropriate way to serve our constituents and to honor our veterans than by training and entrusting veteran students to help veterans get the benefits and services they earned.

History of Oregon VA work study

Since the 1980’s the Oregon delegation has employed VA work-study students in district offices to expand outreach to veterans. This program has been highly effective and leveraged a great return on investment for veterans. Like all VA work-study opportunities, the program pays veterans to work while they attend school.  In Oregon, VA work study students can choose to work in a local congressional office with the sole mission of helping other veterans receive their benefits and services. The student veterans develop valuable job skills, and veterans they serve get quick help navigating the bureaucracy of the VA system.  The VA work-study students placed in congressional offices provide appropriate, effective, and heartfelt assistance to veterans who contact congressional offices for help with and information about VA services and benefits.

Veteran work study students have worked in my district office for the past 23 years, and I currently employ two former work-study students in my local congressional office.  My predecessor also had VA work-study students working in his congressional office.  Work-study students have worked in Senator Wyden’s office for the entire time he has been in the Senate and for many of the years he served in the House.  At least three of Senator Wyden’s work-studies were ultimately hired on to Senate staff after their tenure as work study students in his office. Congressman Blumenauer’s office had a successful first work study position in 2009 and planned to continue the position in his office. 

VA Reversal

Last year, the congressional offices in Oregon were notified intermittently they would no longer be eligible sites for the VA work-study program for a variety of reasons. Congressman Schrader was denied access to the program as a new member of Congress.  Yet his predecessor, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, was allowed to have VA work-study students in her office.  Congressman Blumenauer was denied access to the program because “the duties were not considered work-study activities” and then was told any appeal to the decision needed to go through the regular veterans’ appeal process.  The VA also terminated contracts with VA work study students working at both Senator Wyden’s and my office.

Somewhere in the depths of the VA bureaucracy, lawyers have determined this highly successful program was never authorized and is now scheduled for termination. The VA should not be killing a program that has served veterans, and served them well, for more than a quarter of a century because some bureaucrat can’t see the big picture.

Terminating this VA work study program has already cost many Oregon veterans their jobs.  The loss of this opportunity to develop jobs skills while helping fellow veterans is a disservice to the veteran work-study students and to the veterans who need help.  Work study students in congressional offices have been key advocates for veterans and their family members and they help us respond quickly to vital needs of constituents.      

The entire Oregon delegation is deeply troubled that the proud tradition of veteran serving veterans in Oregon congressional offices is in jeopardy at a time when the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have increased the number of veterans seeking our help with VA benefits and services.  Also of concern is the VA decision to reduce the number of work-study positions available to Oregon veterans during an economic recession that has sent unemployment rates over 12 percent, with the rate for veterans even higher.

H.R. 4765

To remedy this bureaucratic bungle and the inexplicable loss of services to veterans, I introduced H.R. 4765 to specifically authorize VA work-study student positions in congressional offices.  The fact that this program needs to be legislated after 25+ years of operation is frustrating, but necessary.

On the other hand, this legislation could help spur more VA work-study slots in local congressional offices across the nation and enhance service to our veterans.  Congressional offices outside of Oregon have sporadically had the privilege of a VA work study student in their office, including Rep. Dennis Moore and Senator Sherrod Brown.  H.R. 4765 would enable all Congressional offices access to VA work-study opportunities.  This is increasingly important as more and more veterans take advantage of the post 9/11 GI bill.

This legislation ensures that the congressional work-study positions follow the established rules for all VA works-study positions.  As has always been the case in my district office, Congressional work-study students would only be permitted to do two things - perform outreach services to service members and veterans and their dependents and help veterans secure earned benefits and services.  Work-study students would not be permitted to supplant congressional staff.  VA work-study students would only expand and improve outreach and services to veterans, not free up congressional staff for other congressional activities.  Every dollar invested in VA work-study students in congressional offices enhances the VA’s efforts and our efforts to help veterans and their families.

This bill is a win-win.  There is a current shortage of work-study opportunities for veterans; and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan need our advocacy and outreach. VA work-study students have instant rapport with their peers, our constituents. They are highly motivated, reliable, and dedicated individuals who want to continue their service to the nation by helping veterans and their dependents.  

In these tough times, veterans who graduate from college with VA work-study experience have invaluable job skills to help them find employment. As experienced veteran advocates, they also have opportunities to continue working with veterans in congressional offices, in the Veterans Administration, for a country veteran service officer, or in a veteran service organization.

The benefits to this program are on-going and should be continued without delay. It has been an honor and a privilege to have veterans working in my Congressional office and to provide excellent service to veterans and their dependents with the able assistance of VA work study students.  This legislation will ensure the future of this proud and long-lasting tradition.