The Press Enterprise: Takano introduces first bill
Newly elected Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, has introduced his first piece of legislation, a bill designed to help veterans with service-related disabilities.
The VetSuccess Enhancement Act seeks to extend the eligibility for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Rehabilitation & Education VetSuccess program from 12 years to 17 years.
In a news release, Takano said too many veterans are having trouble finding work once they leave the military.
“And many of those who fought in the name of freedom carry with them the scars and wounds of battle every single day – seen and unseen, leaving them disabled and affecting their ability to find suitable employment. Sometimes these issues don’t manifest for many years down the road,” he said.
“This has especially affected our Iraq and Afghanistan era disabled veterans, who are 27% more likely to be unemployed than those without a service-connected disability.
“Nearly every veterans group I’ve talked to, including the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, all said that the 12 year eligibility period for the VetSuccess program was a significant road block for our heroes.
“The VetSuccess Enhancement Act removes that road block by extending that eligibility by five years. I’m proud to make it the first bill I will introduce in Congress and look forward to it becoming law.”