Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio is praising an effort to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, calling the move the right path to help veterans transition smoothly into the civilian workforce.

Thursday, Senator Rubio alone with Democratic Senator Maggie Hasssan, Republican Representative Brad Wenstrup and Democratic Representative Mark Takano helped unveil the “Veterans’ Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan Act,” which would see the VA having a fourth administration.

The four legislators also commented on the changes the proposition would make and why this proposal is a step forward.

Senator Rubio explained that “For far too long, the outdated structure of the VA has allowed economic opportunity and transition programs for our veterans to fall to the wayside. By creating a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Assistance Administration, this legislation would provide more direct oversight and accountability over existing programs aimed at helping our veterans lead economically prosperous lives post-service. Our veterans did not hesitate to answer the call to protect our great nation and we must do everything we can to ensure the VA is adapting to the 21st century needs of our veterans.”

Wenstrup added that “It’s critical that our servicemembers have access to resources that assist them with finding jobs or educational opportunities as they make the transition to civilian life. By placing educational, employment, training, and transition programs together in a fourth administration within the VA, we will bring more transparency and oversight to these programs, while also placing greater priority on opportunity-based programs within the VA. This is consistent with our effort to invest in our troops from the day they take their oath of service to when they begin their civilian careers.”

Hassan explained that “We must do more to ensure that our brave veterans in New Hampshire and across America have the support and resources they need to smoothly transition into our civilian workforce. By establishing a new Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration at the VA, this bipartisan bill will help prioritize the education, housing, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and military-to-civilian transition services that are critical to helping our veterans succeed in the 21st century innovation economy. I will continue working across the aisle to ensure that all of our service members and veterans have the support that they deserve.”

Finally, Takano detailed that “Job training, educational opportunities, transition assistance programs, and other basic forms of support are often as important to a veteran’s quality of life than other veterans’ services that receive far more attention and oversight. This legislation reflects the importance of providing returning service members with a clear path to a rewarding and successful civilian life. The most meaningful way to honor our veterans’ service and sacrifice is by ensuring they have the tools and support they need to live with dignity in the country they fought to protect.”