Perlmutter Supports Veterans’ Economic Relief bills

Washington, DC – In the wake of the financial downturn, it is more important than ever to assist our returning veterans with economic relief efforts. That is why U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter voted this week to expand job opportunities for veterans, prevent mortgage lenders from foreclosing on a veteran’s home after service and to make sure payments for disabled veterans keep pace with the cost of living.

“In these challenging economic times, with returning veterans experiencing unemployment rates in the double digits, we must do more to provide for our veterans’ basic needs,” said Perlmutter. “Just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, this nation will leave no veteran behind when they come home.”


The House passed the following bills this week to provide this critical economic assistance to our nation’s veterans:

· Energy Jobs for Veterans Act (H.R. 4592) -- Increases job opportunities for veterans by reimbursing employers for the cost of providing on-the-job training for veterans in the energy sector through a new “Veterans Energy Related Employment Program” of competitive grants.

· End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010 (H.R. 4810) – Strengthens successful comprehensive programs for homeless veterans through investments, requires housing counselors to generate more veterans housing opportunities at each VA medical center with housing services, strengthens permanent housing programs, and pays special attention to the needs of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. This includes provisions from H.R. 2504 and H.R. 3906 (Teague); H.R. 2559, (Hare); and H.R. 2735 (Rodriguez).

· Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act of 2010 (H.R. 3976) -- Extends expiring protections that safeguard veteran homeowners from foreclosure immediately following deployment.

· Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010 (H.R. 4667) Increases the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, effective December 1, 2010.