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Office of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia
Formerly the Office of Representative Gerry Connolly
The Washington, D.C., office and the district office of former Representative Connolly will continue to serve the people of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Representative Connolly passed away on May 21, 2025. See Press Release

House Passes Bill Requiring Feds to Treat Relevant Military Training As Sufficient for Training & Certification Rules for Federal Licenses

Washington, DC, July 10, 2012
The House on Monday unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to assist returning service members in transitioning into the civilian workforce. Read more.

The House on Monday unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to assist returning service members in transitioning into the civilian workforce.  Congressman Gerry Connolly, a sponsor of the bill, managed the legislation for the Minority on the House floor.

The legislation requires the federal government to treat relevant military training as sufficient for training and certification requirements for federal licenses to expedite the transition of returning service members back into the U.S. workforce, Connolly said.
“Transitioning to civilian life is difficult under any circumstance. However this hardship is compounded when veterans cannot easily translate their military skills into careers in the Federal or private sector workforce through no fault of their own,” Connolly said on the floor.  “In addition, there is the task of educating employers to better understand that so much of military training is readily transferable to civilian job requirements.  We need to do better for our veterans, and I believe this bill is a good step forward. “ 
Connolly said the legislation, which has already passed the Senate, will help returning service members get credit for their military training towards a license they can use to obtain Federal or private sector jobs, and reintegrate into civilian life.  “The federal government, private sector employers, and our economy will also benefit by being able to take full advantage of the talent and unique skills and experience of our veterans,” Connolly said.
“I deeply value and appreciate the sacrifices made by the men and women in our armed forces, and I am proud to represent thousands of veterans and military families who reside in the 11th District of Virginia,” Connolly said.  “I believe that we here in Congress have a sacred duty to provide for their well-being.  For that reason, I strongly support efforts to expedite the transition of our Nation’s warriors to civilian life.  We need to do all we can to help these dedicated veterans find jobs.”
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Floor Statement of Congressman Gerry Connolly
On H.R. 4155, the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act
Mister Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4155, and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
I want to thank the sponsors of H.R. 4155, Mr. Denham and Mr. Walz, for their dedicated service to our Nation while in uniform, and for their commitment to supporting our veterans while in Congress.  
I deeply value and appreciate the sacrifices made by the men and women in our armed forces, and I am proud to represent thousands of veterans and military families who reside in the 11th District of Virginia.  
I believe that we here in Congress have a sacred duty to provide for their well-being.  For that reason, I strongly support efforts to expedite the transition of our Nation’s warriors to civilian life.  We need to do all we can to help these dedicated veterans find jobs. 
It is shameful that the men and women who volunteered to safeguard our country are having so much trouble finding steady, good-paying jobs.  A double digit unemployment rate for post 9/11 veterans – almost double the national unemployment rate – is simply unacceptable.  
Transitioning to civilian life is difficult under any circumstance; however this hardship is compounded when veterans cannot easily translate their military skills into careers in the Federal or private sector workforce through no fault of their own.  
In addition, there is the task of educating employers to better understand that so much of military training is readily transferable to civilian job requirements.  
We need to do better for our veterans, and I believe H.R. 4155 is a strong step forward.  
It would require each agency with Federal licensing authority to treat relevant military training as sufficient to satisfy training or certification requirements for Federal licenses.  
This will help our returning service members get credit for their military training towards a license which they can use to get Federal or private sector jobs, and reintegrate into civilian life.  
The Federal government, private sector employers, and our economy will also benefit by being able to take full advantage of the talent and unique skills and experience of our veterans.  
Mister Speaker, the Senate has already passed an identical version of this non-controversial bill by unanimous consent.  I urge all Members to support this bill that will enable our Nation’s veterans to get back to work.