STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Obama Pushes Veterans Jobs Programs

President Obama has called on Congress to provide funding that would help put post-9/11 veterans to work.

President Obama on Friday called for a new conservation program that would put veterans to work rebuilding trails, roads and levees on public lands. He also said that he is seeking additional funding that would help local communities hire veterans to serve as police officers and firefighters.

 

"Let's get more cops on the beat, let's get more rangers in the parks, let's get more firefighters on call, and in the process, we're going to put more veterans back to work," Obama said Friday, speaking from a fire station in Arlington, Virginia. "They've already risked their lives defending America. They should have the opportunity to rebuild America."

 

The president previewed his plan last week in his State of the Union address. It targets veterans who served after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a group that is having a particularly difficult time finding jobs after leaving the military. These veterans have an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent that is higher than the current national rate of 8.3 percent.

 

Obama suggested that his proposals could be financed at least in part by the savings that will result from ending the war in Iraq.

 

"Congress should take the money that we're no longer spending on war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building here at home," he said.

 

BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices.

(Photo: Larry Downing/Reuters)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.