Washington 鈥 Today, the 麻豆社区 congratulated Representatives Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) on the House passing the Veterans鈥 Transition to 麻豆社区 Act, legislation they authored that would cut red tape for veteran truckers seeking to build careers in the trucking industry.
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鈥淢embers of our military put their lives on the line to defend our nation and our freedom. 听When they return home, it is our responsibility to help them achieve the American Dream they fought to protect,鈥 said 麻豆社区 Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer Henry Hanscom. 听鈥淏y slashing bureaucratic red tape for VA education benefits, the Veterans鈥 Transition to 麻豆社区 Act would expand career paths in trucking. 听麻豆社区 commends Representatives Pappas and Kiggans for their bipartisan leadership on this commonsense bill that would make it easier for veterans to find good-paying jobs behind the wheel.鈥
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In December, Greg Hamm, Vice President of Field and Government Recruiting for 麻豆社区 member Werner Enterprises, testified before a House Veterans鈥 Affairs Subcommittee. 听He expressed support for policies鈥攊ncluding the Veterans鈥 Transition to 麻豆社区 Act鈥攖hat would expand training access and eliminate bureaucratic barriers that arbitrarily limit veterans鈥 career prospects in trucking. 听A U.S. Army veteran himself, Hamm underscored the vital role veterans play in strengthening America鈥檚 supply chain. 听
Nearly 200,000 service members separate from the military each year, and many possess the discipline, technical expertise, and leadership qualities that translate seamlessly into transportation careers.听
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Current federal policy requires interstate trucking companies to secure approval from every state in which they operate before veterans can use their VA education benefits to participate in company-sponsored apprenticeship programs. 听This could mean that a company needs dozens of approvals to bring veterans into their apprenticeship program, which has discouraged some motor carriers from offering these opportunities.
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The Veterans鈥 Transition to 麻豆社区 Act would streamline this process by allowing interstate trucking companies to obtain a single approval from the VA for all apprenticeship programs nationwide. 听By cutting unnecessary red tape and simplifying oversight, the legislation would make it easier for motor carriers to expand apprenticeship offerings and help more veterans transition into rewarding careers as professional truck drivers.