Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined her colleagues in urging Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Vazirani to encourage collaboration between the Department of Defense and the Departments of Education and Labor to better recognize military service and enlistment as rewarding and successful career options.
“We feel that our schools must have insight into post-high school outcomes for all students, including those who enter the military,” the senators wrote. “An educator’s ability to accurately communicate the benefits of all available career paths, including military enlistment, is essential when preparing students for college and other future careers. As Senators committed to supporting our military and education systems, we emphasize the importance of their request and encourage the DoD to prioritize engaging with our states on this matter.”
Sen. Moran led the letter, and in addition to Cortez Masto is co-signed by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
Full text of the letter can be found here:
Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for our service members and veterans. Last year, Cortez Masto introduced legislation for current and former military to access the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for qualified public servants including teachers, firefighters, and military service members. She also passed her the Brian Neuman Act to remove roadblocks for disabled veterans accessing their benefits.Her work to pass the PACT Act has helped ensureveterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need. She has also worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law.
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