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For Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Hart
August 01, 2008 (202) 226-8555

HERSETH SANDLIN VETERAN TRANSITION ASSISTANCE BILLS CLEAR HOUSE

Legislation Helps Keep Nation’s Promise to Veterans; Ensures Equitable Treatment after Service

Washington, DC- Late last night, the U.S. House of Representatives approved two bills introduced by the Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: "The Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act" and the "Improving SCRA and USERRA Protections Act." Both bills will help ease the transition of men and women who have served in uniform into civilian life following their service to their country.

The bills reflect input and testimony received at field hearings on transition assistance that the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity has held across the country in the 110th Congress. Rep. Herseth Sandlin said “These bills address issues raised at field hearings across the country, including in South Dakota, where the committee heard first-hand accounts of the challenges veterans face.” Earlier this week, Rep. Herseth Sandlin held a field hearing of her subcommittee in Rapid City, to discuss similar Transition Assistance Program issues and gather testimony from South Dakota servicemembers.

Currently, veterans utilizing their GI Bill benefits who qualify for work-study may only hold positions related to VA work. H.R. 6224, the "Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility of expanding qualifying work-study activities to include positions in academic departments such as tutoring or assisting with researching, teaching and lab work as well as student services such as positions in career centers, financial aid, orientation, cashiers, admissions, records and registration offices.

The second bill introduced by Rep. Herseth Sandlin, which passed the full House or Representatives, was H.R. 6225, the "Improving SCRA and USERRA Protections Act." Rep. Herseth Sandlin introduced this bill to help protect veterans from losing their jobs due to military service. The legislation is in response to a court case surrounding the plight of Dr. Carlos Bedrossian, who, in addition to his military service in the Air Force Reserves, was employed as a physician and professor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The Hospital sought to fire Dr. Bedrossian because of the inconvenience caused by his military service.

“As Chair of the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, one of my top priorities in Congress is ensuring that our veterans receive fair treatment and the benefits they were promised upon completion of their service to their country,” Rep. Herseth Sandlin said. “The bills we passed in the House this week take important steps toward this goal. I appreciate the support of my colleagues and I would urge the Senate and President to act quickly as we work to keep our country’s promises to the men and women who have bravely served and sacrificed.”

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Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.