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This week, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, led a bipartisan letter with Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, and Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Tex.) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, requesting that, H.R. 7111, as amended, the Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William ″Bill″ Mulder (Ret.) Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020, be included in the next COVID-19 relief package.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had the lowest veteran unemployment rate in 20 years,” said Ranking Member Roe. “We owe it to our veterans to do everything we can do to get back there again. That is why I was proud to lead this bipartisan letter to House leadership to advocate for this important proposal to help unemployed veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve to be included in the next COVID-19 relief package. No one who has served our country should have to struggle to find a job once this crisis is over. This bipartisan bill will give them the necessary assistance and retraining to help them get back on their feet and gain a competitive advantage in the new job market. I hope our leadership will do what is right and include this bill in the relief package they are currently negotiating on behalf of the millions of men and women who have served.”

To learn more about H.R. 7111, click here.

Full text of the letter can be found here, and below.

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20215

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Republican Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
H-204, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20215

The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
H-107, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20215

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Leader McCarthy:

We write to you today to respectfully request that the text of our bill, H.R. 7111, as amended, the Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William ″Bill″ Mulder (Ret.) Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020, be included in the COVID-19 relief package that you are currently negotiating.

We know you agree that taking care of the brave men and women who have served in uniform during this national emergency and ensuring they are able to regain their footing in the postCOVID-19 economy is one of Congress’ priorities. H.R. 7111, as amended, is bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would assist the estimated 760,000 veterans who are currently unemployed as a result of COVID-19 get back to work. The centerpiece of the bill is a rapid retraining program that would give unemployed veterans access to training for in-demand occupations. This program would help qualified veterans who have already exhausted the education benefits they earned from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by providing them with up to one year of benefits similar to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The legislation also includes provisions that would support servicemembers transitioning to civilian life and veterans seeking meaningful employment in the technology sector.

This legislation is supported by 17 veteran and military service organizations as well as by Senators Jerry Moran and Jon Tester, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs who have introduced companion legislation. It was reported out of Committee last week by voice vote and incorporates technical assistance from VA.

The bill is named for Chief Petty Officer William “Bill” Mulder, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who died by suicide following his service. We ask that, as you continue to consider ways to assist Americans during this crisis, you honor Chief Petty Officer Mulder’s memory by including this bill to aid unemployed veterans in the next COVID-19 relief package. Veterans represent the best of our country and we should do what we can to set them up for long term success.

Sincerely,


David P. Roe, M.D.
Ranking Member

Mike Levin
Chairman
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Gus Bilirakis
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Jodey Arrington
Member of Congress