Representatives Brian Mast and Stephanie Murphy have secured funding to continue helping disabled veterans transition into the work force.

In June, both representatives added an amendment to the 2019 fiscal legislative branch appropriations bill that would increase funding for the Wounded Warriors program. Specifically, it would ensure two-year paid fellowships for veterans that are disabled to work in the Washington or district offices of Congressional members.

In June, Mast gave an explanation on the initiative, stating that “After I opened our congressional office inside the West Palm Beach VA, we set out to hire a wounded warrior to help us because I know veterans are among the most qualified applicants for any position thanks to the skills they learned in the military. This amendment is a win-win: giving disabled veterans a great opportunity to transition into a new career while improving constituent services in congressional offices across the country.”

In response, the House ensured that $3 million would be provided in funding for the FY 2019 fiscal year, which is a $250,000 increase from last year.

Stephanie Murphy also added that “The unique skills and experience acquired by veterans over the course of their military service can be invaluable to the work of a congressional office. The Wounded Warrior fellowship program is critical not only because we have a moral imperative to help our military servicemembers successfully transition to civilian life, but also because it gives veterans the opportunity to use the valuable skills they honed in the military to help constituents, including fellow veterans, in congressional districts across the country.  As someone who has two Marines on staff, I know Congress will benefit greatly from the expansion of this fellowship.”