FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

06-21-11 1145AM

Continuing his push to make sure veterans have access to good job opportunities, Congressman Jerry McNerney today introduced H.R. 2243, the Veterans Employment Promotion Act.

H.R. 2243 requires the Secretary of Labor to establish a website providing information about the number of veterans employed by federal contractors. Current law requires contractors to file reports with the secretary on the number of veterans they hire and employ, but this information is not easily accessible to the public.

“No one is more deserving of jobs that result from federal contracts than the men and women who have served our country,” said McNerney. “The Veterans Employment Promotion Act will ensure that information on the number of veterans employed by federal contractors is widely available to the public. This is an important step toward a more transparent system and will help ensure that our veterans have access to good jobs.”

A 2009 hearing by the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity examined federal contractor compliance with veterans’ employment laws. At the hearing, representatives of several veterans service organizations recommended better enforcement and oversight.

Earlier this year, McNerney co-introduced H.R. 1941, the Hiring Heroes Act, to help veterans obtain good jobs. The bill introduced today by McNerney builds on this effort.

###