Congress unanimously passes Tester bill to improve job market for veterans

Senator’s bipartisan bill awaits President’s signature

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester’s latest bill to improve the job market for America’s veterans now awaits the President’s signature after Congress unanimously passed it last night.

Tester’s bipartisan Veteran Skills to Jobs Act makes it easier for veterans to qualify for civilian jobs.  The bill encourages federal agencies to grant licenses to veterans who gained related experience while serving in the armed forces.

The Federal Aviation Administration, for example, could quickly certify former military air traffic controllers to work in the same capacity at America’s airports.

“Many of the skills our veterans learn in the military apply directly to civilian jobs,” said Tester, Montana’s only member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  “Once this bill gets signed into law, Montana veterans at home can more easily get jobs that they’re already qualified for.”

Tester’s bill is supported by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as other veterans’ service organizations.

Tester’s VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which improves training opportunities for veterans and provides tax incentives to companies that hire veterans, was the only bill improving job opportunities for veterans signed into law last year.  Tester also pushed “Troops to Truckers” – a bipartisan bill to help experienced military truck drivers get commercial drivers’ licenses.

Tester is a longtime supporter of improving job opportunities for America’s veterans.  He is also a founding member of the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus, which aims to decrease the unemployment rate among the nation’s veterans.

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