Dexter Concludes First Year with Senate Passage of Legislation to Support Veterans

PORTLAND, OR - Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) announced that her bipartisan legislation, the Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans' Employment and Transition Success (FAST VETS) Actpassed the U.S. Senate. The legislation passed out of the House in the fall and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"As someone who worked at the VA, I have seen firsthand how critical it is for veterans to have access to timely, outcomes-based support as they transition to civilian life," said Dexter. "The FAST VETS Act ensures we are meeting veterans where they are and more efficiently connecting them with the career resources they need to succeed in civilian life. I'm grateful that in a historically divided Congress, the Senate has passed this legislation and moved it one step closer to becoming law."

"I'm thrilled to see the FAST VETS Act pass the Senate with bipartisan support," said Ranking Member Mark Takano. "This legislation represents our continued commitment to ensuring veterans receive the employment support and career counseling they've earned through their service. Strengthening the VR&E program will make a lasting difference in veterans' lives as they transition to civilian careers. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Representative Maxine Dexter to pass more legislation that safeguards the benefits and services our veterans depend on."

FAST VETS Act strengthens the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program to better connect veterans with meaningful employment opportunities. If signed into law, this bill will improve outcomes for individual veterans in the VR&E program, while expanding the number of veterans who can access its critical supports.

Congresswoman Dexter serves on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and is one of only three physicians in Congress who provided care to veterans at the VA. She serves on both the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs.

For a one-page fact sheet on this legislation, click here.For full bill text, click here.

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