[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1836-E1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                VETERANS OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 11, 2011

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to 
H.R. 2433, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011.
  I commend Chairman Miller for introducing legislation to allow 
veterans to receive retraining assistance. However, with unemployment 
of veterans at an all time high, and those coming back from the wars in 
Iraq and Afghanistan not having jobs, I don't understand the reasoning 
of limiting the age of eligibility to those between 35 and 60.
  I also don't understand the funding mechanism for the program. In 
this time of budget tightening, and a refusal to discuss tax increases 
for any issue, this bill taxes veterans with higher interest rates to 
pay for more government programs. This legislation doubles

[[Page E1837]]

the interest rates veterans for housing loans. The new lower rates went 
into effect on October 1, and I am sure in these tough economic times 
our veterans can use the estimated $1.6 billion dollars this change in 
law will cost them.
  The Veterans Home Loan Program is one of the homeowner programs that 
works in this country. The foreclosure rate is much lower than anything 
in the private sector and I don't think changing this program will do 
anyone any good.
  I cannot agree with balancing the budget on the backs of our 
veterans.
  I cannot support this legislation as it is currently written.

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