Smoke and Mirrors
Rep. Herrell’s new bill, the Veterans Recruitment Act of 2022
Congresswoman Yvette Herrell is once again trying to convince us that she is a champion of veterans despite her dismal voting record against all legislation intended to support veterans’ welfare. In an op-ed to the Albuquerque New Journal titled “Our military veterans deserve a leg up into federal service,” Herrell touts “My Veteran Recruitment Act will make it easier for these dedicated men and women to be hired for leadership roles in our diplomatic, defense, and intelligence agencies.” The Act’s primary focus seems to be the State Department. What she fails to explain or seem to understand is that Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans are already in place for all 24 US federal government agencies, including the State Department, either by law or Executive Order.
The ACT would:
However, existing federal laws, executive orders, special authorities, and programs dating back to 1958 already meet this requirement These include:
However, the US Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Resource Management and Organization Analysis issued a report “Five-Year Workforce Plan, Fiscal Years 2019-2023”, issued February 2020 addresses these issues.
However, the Department of State, in support of the Veterans Employment Initiative, launched the Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) Fellows Program, a public-private alliance platform that serves America’s veterans and separating service members by preparing them for diplomacy and development careers through a one-year fellowship experience. Fellows learn to build on their existing experience to make them more competitive for permanent positions in professional foreign policy and international development careers.
However, the Department of State already meets this requirement through compliance with existing federal laws, executive orders, special authorities, and programs. These include:
In summary, Herrell’s bill would provide no benefits for veterans that are not already currently provided by law, executive order, special authorities, or programs. The bill would do nothing to advance benefits for veterans. All this information is available on the internet. Either she is clueless or hoping we are. It’s all smoke and mirrors to hide the fact, based on her voting record, that she cares little about those who have served our country.
Rep. Herrell’s new bill, the Veterans Recruitment Act of 2022
Congresswoman Yvette Herrell is once again trying to convince us that she is a champion of veterans despite her dismal voting record against all legislation intended to support veterans’ welfare. In an op-ed to the Albuquerque New Journal titled “Our military veterans deserve a leg up into federal service,” Herrell touts “My Veteran Recruitment Act will make it easier for these dedicated men and women to be hired for leadership roles in our diplomatic, defense, and intelligence agencies.” The Act’s primary focus seems to be the State Department. What she fails to explain or seem to understand is that Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans are already in place for all 24 US federal government agencies, including the State Department, either by law or Executive Order.
The ACT would:
- Require the Secretary of State to provide a detailed plan for prioritizing the recruitment and hiring of veterans of the United States Armed Forces into Foreign Service and civil service positions pertaining to leadership, management, and policy roles within the Department of State.
However, existing federal laws, executive orders, special authorities, and programs dating back to 1958 already meet this requirement These include:
- The Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) is a special hiring authority that allows an agency to appointment of eligible veterans without competition to positions at any grade level through GS-11 or equivalent per US Code Title 38 – Veterans Benefits, enacted by Public Law 85-857, September 2, 1958, as amended.
- Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA) provides preference eligibles and certain eligible veterans the opportunity to compete for certain positions announced under an agency’s merit promotion procedures
- Executive Order 13518, Veterans Employment Initiative, signed on November 9, 2009, by President Barack Obama.. The Initiative is a strategic approach to helping the men and women who have served our country in the military find employment in the Federal Government. All 24 agencies covered by the order, including the Department of State. have established a Veterans Employment Program.
- Identify and eliminate explicit and implicit barriers in the Department of State’s Foreign Service and civil service recruitment and hiring practices, including barriers in existing digital and non-digital recruitment materials.
However, the US Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Resource Management and Organization Analysis issued a report “Five-Year Workforce Plan, Fiscal Years 2019-2023”, issued February 2020 addresses these issues.
- Identify and adjust Foreign Service training and management standards to align with those of other Federal defense, intelligence, and security agencies, to include implementation of rigorous and selective training courses for newly hired recruits.
However, the Department of State, in support of the Veterans Employment Initiative, launched the Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) Fellows Program, a public-private alliance platform that serves America’s veterans and separating service members by preparing them for diplomacy and development careers through a one-year fellowship experience. Fellows learn to build on their existing experience to make them more competitive for permanent positions in professional foreign policy and international development careers.
- Identify and initiate specific steps that the Department of State will take to ensure that physically disabled veterans have equal access to the Department of State’s Foreign Service and civil service positions.
However, the Department of State already meets this requirement through compliance with existing federal laws, executive orders, special authorities, and programs. These include:
- 30% or More Disabled Veteran. The 30% or More Disabled Veteran authority allows an agency to non-competitively appoint any veteran with a 30% or more service-connected disability.
- Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program. Disabled veterans eligible for training under the VA vocational rehabilitation program may enroll for training or work experience at an agency Training is tailored to the individual's needs and goals, so there is no set length. If the training is intended to prepare the individual for eventual appointment in the agency rather than just provide work experience, the agency must focus the training on enabling the veteran to meet the qualification requirements for the position.
In summary, Herrell’s bill would provide no benefits for veterans that are not already currently provided by law, executive order, special authorities, or programs. The bill would do nothing to advance benefits for veterans. All this information is available on the internet. Either she is clueless or hoping we are. It’s all smoke and mirrors to hide the fact, based on her voting record, that she cares little about those who have served our country.