Blumenthal Statement On The Signing Of The Veterans Skills To Jobs Act

(Washington) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement about the President’s signing of the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act and the President's announcement that the Transition Assistance Program for military personnel would be improved:

“The President’s signing the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act – a measure I voted cosponsored – will help open jobs opportunities to many veterans," Blumenthal said. "Also, the President announced much needed improvements to the Transition Assistance Program – which I advocated – a program that provides military personnel about to enter the civilian workplace with invaluable job hunting, education, and career development resources.”

Blumenthal added, “The government should do all that it can to ensure that our servicemen and women transition smoothly from the military to the civilian workplaces. These measures help accomplish that priority. Now veterans coming home to Connecticut and other states can have better access to resources that assist them in obtaining civilian jobs.”

In addition to supporting the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act and TAP, Senator Blumenthal has included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013, Section 1044 of S.3254, that would expand coverage of TAP to allow veterans to retake the TAP services and meet with counselors after they separate from the military.