Senate Democrats push for passage of veterans jobs bill

Senate Democrats made another push Thursday to shake a veterans jobs bill loose from procedural hurdles for passage this week.

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (Wash.) and bill sponsor Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida expressed frustration that the bill is being held up, and suggested lawmakers put politics aside and pass the measure bill that would provide $1 billion to help veterans find jobs.

“For this to be drug out utilizing the delay tactics of the Senate rules is unconscionable and it’s all balled up in the presidential election,” Nelson told reporters.

The legislation, which would help train veterans and help them transition into police officers, firefighters and EMTs, as well as work in the park system, is mired in a political quagmire by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who wants a vote on his bill to end aid to Pakistan before letting the Senate take a vote.

“Veterans are watching, and they have no stomach for political posturing,” Murray said.

The lawmakers stressed that the bill is a collaboration between Democrats and Republicans and includes the bulk of an alternative bill offered by Veterans Committee ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

“There’s no reason Republicans shouldn’t join us in passing this bill and quickly,” Murray said.

 Read more.. http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/economy/249395-senate-democrats-push-for-passage-of-veterans-jobs-bill

This entry was posted in Veterans for Common Sense News and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.