WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, Senators Mike Braun and Kyrsten Sinema introduced the Hire Veterans Act, which would create a five-year pilot program to strengthen the pipeline for veterans seeking skilled labor opportunities within federal land management agencies. Over the past decade, federal agencies have routinely suffered from staffing shortages.
Notably, in April 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had 5,300 fewer employees than in January 2017. Additionally, in 2021, the Department of the Interior (DOI) cited approximately 5,000 firefighter openings nationwide.
“As Hoosier veterans transition to civilian employment, we must ensure that we have programs to help these veterans get hired. The Hire Veterans Act creates a pilot program to ease this transition by matching qualified veterans with open career opportunities in federal land management agencies,” said Senator Braun.
“After years of service and sacrifice, Arizona veterans deserve access to strong careers to continue building the future they want for themselves and their families,” said Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
“On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members, The American Legion is proud to support the Hire Veterans Act. By encouraging hiring practices that provide employment opportunities for veterans in critical land management roles, the Hire Veterans Act will ensure more of our nation’s veterans can build fulfilling careers following their service to our nation,” said Chairman John Bowen Sr., American Legion’s Veterans’ Employment and Education Commission.
“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has always recognized the inherent value of including the military community in managing our public lands and water. These men and women possess evident personal values and a strength of character that led them to place the needs of their country higher than their instinct for self-preservation. This pilot program will find acceptable candidates across the military community for these roles and identify multiple exceptional candidates who will lead the conservation conversation on public lands for decades to come. Thank you, Senators Braun and Sinema, for putting pen to paper in support of this legislation that will help recognize the tremendous asset our military community members can be to our public lands and waters,” said Trevor Hubbs, Armed Forces Initiative Coordinator, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Endorsements: Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Bill text here.
