CrossFire National Veterans Assistance

Congressional Veteran Intern Act Introduced
Bill Seeks to Increase Government Service Opportunities for Veterans

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.), along with his colleagues Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Rep. Lane Evans (D-Ill.), today introduced the “American Veterans Congressional Internship Program,” a bill designed to help veterans get exposure to the legislative branch of government and increase their opportunities for future careers in public service.

“Every day, we in Congress make decisions that directly affect the lives of those who wear the uniform of the United States,” said Holt. “Veterans who’ve completed their service deserve an opportunity to not only see how those decisions are made, but to help influence those decisions so that those who follow them into military service benefit from their wisdom and experience.”

Holt’s bill would allow each member of Congress to hire one veteran as a Congressional intern for a period of one year, with program participants receiving an annual stipend of $25,000.

“Not incidentally, this program will give our veterans a valuable point of entry into the legislative branch of government, which will provide them with the opportunity to either continue their public service or to contribute to our society in other areas,” said Holt. “This program would provide a unique and important venue for veterans to do that.”