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from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin HERSETH SANDLIN BILL WOULD INCREASE FUNDING FOR VETERANS’ SERVICE PROGRAMS Champions Legislation to Ensure Access to Educational and Training Programs for Veterans Following their Service September 18, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin this week introduced legislation to help ensure access to important education and workforce training programs for United States veterans once they complete their military service. Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s bill, H.R. 3553, would head off an expected cut in funding for State Approving Agencies, or SAAs, which oversee and promote veterans education and training programs. In addition to ensuring that these worthwhile and effective programs don’t receive a devastating cut, Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s bill would raise funding for SAAs nationwide from $19 million to $25 million beginning in FY 2008. Without this legislation, this critical funding for our nation’s veterans is scheduled to drop to $13 million, which will result in a decrease in the quality of education and training programs available to returning servicemembers following their service to our nation in the Armed Forces. Rep. Herseth Sandlin, who chairs the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, said, “Keeping our promises to those who sacrifice for our country means providing the best opportunities to prosper in civilian life after returning home. State Approving Agencies are essential in ensuring that the best veterans’ benefits programs remain operational and effective. We owe it to these American heroes.” South Dakota’s State Approving Agency is part of the South Dakota Division of Veterans Affairs in Pierre. Our SAA provides support, oversight and assistance to 47 schools and 192 training establishments and businesses in the state. If the funding reduction takes place, funding for South Dakota will drop from $207,000 in FY 2007 to $140,760 in FY 2008 – a cut of more than $66,000. However, if Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s bill passes, South Dakota would receive about $270,000 in FY 2008 – an increase of about $63,000. The primary function of the State Approving Agency is to review, evaluate and approve quality educational and training programs for veterans’ benefits. Programs that can be approved include institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities), non-degree institutions (vocational and technical schools), apprenticeship programs, other on-the-job training programs and flight schools. # # # Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
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