[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S3845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Jobs for Our Heroes Act

  Mr. President, the second piece of legislation I want to mention is 
the Jobs for Our Heroes Act of 2017. This, too, is a bipartisan bill 
that makes it easier for our veterans to get jobs in our Nation's 
trucking industry. The men and women in our military learn valuable 
skills that can easily be transferred to the private sector when they 
leave the military and become a veteran, and this bill is designed to 
help veterans transition from their military service to getting jobs in 
our Nation's trucking industry. This is an area that is constantly in 
need of trained people with commercial drivers' licenses who can work 
in this industry.
  As I suggested, many of our military servicemembers have experience 
driving similar vehicles while serving in the Armed Forces. Yet for 
them to get a job in trucking, they are required to go through a very 
expensive and time-consuming training program as if they have 
absolutely no knowledge or job experience whatsoever, largely 
duplicating what they already know just because of the regulations. 
That doesn't make any sense to me.
  The legislation that I have introduced with Senators Elizabeth 
Warren, Tammy Duckworth, and Thom Tillis takes into consideration the 
previous training and experience of veterans and allows them to apply 
for an exemption so they can quite literally get on the road and start 
working without delay.
  This bill is twofold. Not only does it encourage our transportation 
industry to hire veterans, it helps our veterans transition into 
civilian life, connecting them to a well-paying job and a meaningful 
career. I expect the Commerce Committee to consider and pass this bill, 
as well, today.
  These are two bipartisan examples that show we actually can work 
together in the U.S. Senate in ways that will help all of our States 
and the people we serve.