House Passes Major Veteran Education and Workforce Opportunity Reform Bills

House Passes Major Veteran Education and Workforce Opportunity Reform Bills

Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chairman Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), released the following statements after the House passed two key, bipartisan bills: H.R. 980, The Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act, and H.R. 1458, The VETS Opportunity Act, both bills which would reform, expand, and modernize certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill education and workforce programs, including the Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) program.

"We must continue to modernize the GI Bill to meet veterans' needs so that today and tomorrow's veterans can get high-paying jobs in in-demand fields across the country. I am proud of the two key education and workforce opportunity bills we passed out of the House this week, led by my friends and colleagues, Rep. Van Orden and Rep. Ciscomani, both with bipartisan support to accomplish that goal," said Chairman Bost. "House Republicans will continue to advance policies that makes a real difference in veterans' day-to-day lives by boosting the programs veterans, active-duty servicemembers, Nation Guardsmen, Reservists, and their families use to get the education and job training they want - where they want it, and when they want it - without a bunch of bureaucracy standing in the way."

"As a retired Navy SEAL, taking care of veterans is personal to me. No veteran should wait months for answers or fight through red tape to use the benefits they earned. Too many veterans get stuck waiting on paperwork and chasing answers just to access benefits they've already earned. My bill strengthens the Veterans Readiness and Employment program by putting more counselors on the ground, standing up a direct support hotline, and expanding training opportunities so veterans can transition faster and with confidence," said Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chairman Van Orden.

To learn more about H.R. 980, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act, click here.

"As I represent nearly 80,000 veterans in Southern Arizona, I know firsthand when service members transition to civilian life, they bring discipline, leadership, and a strong work ethic. Too often, the system limits how they can use the benefits they earned. The VETS Opportunity Act changes that by modernizing the GI Bill and expanding access to high-quality certificates and technical training programs, possibly offered in a hybrid format, that lead directly to good-paying jobs in high-demand fields. Not every veteran wants or needs a traditional four-year degree. Many want fast, skills-based training that connects them to careers in the trades, health care, technology, and other critical fields. This bill recognizes reality and gives veterans the flexibility to choose the path that works best for them and their families. This legislation empowers our nation's veterans, strengthens our workforce, and honors the promise this country made to those who served. By strengthening education benefits, we empower veterans, build a stronger workforce, and drive a stronger economy," said Rep. Ciscomani.

To learn more about H.R. 1458, the VETS Opportunity Act, click here.

In addition to H.R. 980 and H.R. 1458, the following bills were passed out of the House today:

H.R. 3123 - Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, as amended (Rep. Stefanik)

H.R. 658 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish qualifications for the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist, qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health Administration, as amended (Rep. Brownley)