WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema welcomed members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from Arizona and across the country to today’s Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing. Sinema thanked the VFW for their advocacy on behalf of Arizona veterans and discussed her bipartisan bill to reduce veterans’ unemployment by eliminating the 12-year eligibility period for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits.
“It’s my pleasure to work with the VFW to ensure servicemembers and veterans receive the care and benefits they’ve earned,” said Sinema.
In today’s hearing, Sinema asked VFW Commander William “Doc” Schmitz about the impact her Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act would have on disabled veterans. Sinema also asked VFW leaders what their recommendations are to reduce veterans’ wait times when VA clinicians refer them into the VA Community Care Network.
Sinema’s Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act, cosponsored by Republican Senators Dan Sullivan (AK) and John Hoeven (ND), ends the 12-year eligibility limit on disabled veterans accessing the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefit. Currently, veterans with service-related disabilities must access this benefit within 12 years of discharging from the military or from first receiving a VA disability rating with certain exceptions from VA. Sinema’s bill lifts this arbitrary time limit, ensuring all veterans eligible for this benefit can access it whenever they need to achieve their career goals.
Sinema’s legislation is supported by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans Education Success, and Student Veterans of America.
