McCaskill Disappointed That ‘politics were put above helping our veterans get back to work’

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement after legislation she supported to put more military veterans back to work failed in the Senate:

“Today, the Senate had an opportunity to expand job opportunities for our returning troops. Unfortunately, too many politicians put politics above helping our veterans get back to work, but I’m not deterred. Our veterans never wavered when they stood up to protect our freedoms, and I plan to follow their example by keeping my commitment to veterans’ jobs steadfast and continuing to fight for them.”

The Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012 would establish a veterans jobs corps to expand local job opportunities for veterans as firefighters and police officers, and employ veterans to maintain, protect, and preserve our public lands.  The legislation failed to gain the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster and advance to a final vote.

Recently, McCaskill led a Senate hearing to examine progress made by government contractors in the hiring of military veterans. McCaskill also questioned witnesses on how to address the disproportionate unemployment experienced by members of the National Guard and Reserve.

McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran and a founding member of the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus, was also a leading advocate for the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which provides tax credits to employers that hire veterans, extends education benefits to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and takes steps to help veterans translate their military experience into relevant skills sought by civilian employers.