Graves Supports Passage of Veterans Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Less than a week before the nation celebrates Memorial Day, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed several measures aimed at assisting America's veterans. Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) supported all three bills.

"These are commonsense measures that will help make life a bit easier for our nation's veterans," said Congressman Graves. "By improving employment opportunities for veterans, and making it simpler for disabled veterans and their families to both receive cost-of-living adjustments and fly the friendly skies, we're renewing our commitment to those who have given so much in defense of their country."

The Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act (H.R. 1412) would increase the number of jobs available to veterans through on-the-job training (OJT) and apprenticeship programs by reducing the share of the wage the employers must cover from 85 percent to 75 percent for four years. The remainder of the wages is covered by the Veterans Affairs Department. The change would take effect one year after passage.

The American Heroes COLA Act (H.R. 570) provides for an automatic increase in disability compensation and dependence and indemnity compensation indexed to Social Security cost of living increases effective December 1, 2014. Such action would alleviate the need for Congress to pass legislation each year.

Finally, the Helping Heroes Fly Act (H.R. 1344) directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide expedited passenger screening for severely injured or disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Additionally, the House passed a bill (H.R. 324) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the First Special Service Force in honor of their service during World War II. Also known as the "Devil's Brigade," the elite American-Canadian joint-operations unit was the first modern special operations force, serving in Alaska, France, and Italy between 1942 and 1944.

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