Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1793
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-09: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-04T04:11:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025 aims to improve access to and awareness of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs that provide training and rehabilitation for veterans with disabilities caused by their military service (known as service-connected disabilities). It focuses on enhancing outreach efforts and ensuring timely decisions on program extensions to make these services more transparent and user-friendly.
Key Provisions
- Dedicated Contact Information: The VA must create a specific phone number within its Education Call Center for inquiries about vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) services. Each VA regional office website must list a contact name, phone number, and email for these services.
- Monthly Question-and-Answer Sessions: VA employees responsible for counseling and VR&E services must participate in monthly sessions with officials from schools and colleges who certify veteran education benefits (school certifying officials). These sessions help address questions and improve coordination.
- In-Person or Virtual Briefings: Each VR&E counselor must deliver informational briefings about VR&E services to veterans at educational institutions in their regional office's area. Briefings must be in-person unless the institution is more than 150 miles from the regional office, in which case they can be virtual.
- Annual Reporting on Program Extensions: Starting one year after the law's enactment, the VA must submit an annual report to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs. The report covers extensions of VR&E program periods and includes:
- The number of veterans who requested an extension.
- The number of requests approved.
- The number of requests rejected.
- Timely Decisions on Extensions: When a veteran requests an extension of their VR&E program eligibility (beyond the standard period), the VA must approve or deny it within 30 days of the request.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new subsection (f) to 38 U.S.C. § 3104, requiring dedicated contact channels for VR&E services, which did not exist before.
- Inserts a new section (3123) into Chapter 31 of title 38, U.S. Code, mandating outreach activities (Q&A sessions and briefings) and annual reporting—previously, no such structured outreach or reporting requirements were in place for these programs.
- Modifies 38 U.S.C. § 3105(c) by adding a 30-day deadline for decisions on program extensions, changing the prior process where no specific timeline was enforced, potentially leading to delays.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will face increased administrative responsibilities, including staffing for call centers, organizing sessions and briefings, and preparing annual reports. This could require additional resources but may improve efficiency in serving veterans.
- On Citizens: Veterans with service-connected disabilities will gain easier access to information and services through dedicated contacts and outreach, potentially leading to higher participation in rehabilitation programs. Educational institutions may see more VA-veteran interactions on campus.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic VA programs for U.S. veterans.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries, as they will have better outreach and faster processing for program extensions.
- VA Employees and Counselors: Required to conduct new outreach activities, which could enhance their roles but add workload.
- Educational Institutions and Certifying Officials: Involved in Q&A sessions and hosting briefings, potentially improving partnerships with the VA.
- Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Receive annual reports to oversee program effectiveness and extensions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens accountability in VA operations by imposing deadlines and reporting, which could reduce administrative delays and support veterans' rights to timely benefits under existing federal laws like the Veterans Benefits Act. No conflicts with broader legal frameworks are evident.
- Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I to regulate federal benefits and spending; it promotes equal access to services without raising due process or equal protection concerns.
- Political Implications: Enhances transparency in veterans' services, potentially appealing to bipartisan support for veteran welfare. By requiring reports to Congress, it enables ongoing oversight, which could influence future funding or program adjustments without introducing partisan elements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8]
Cosponsors (26)
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Messmer, Mark [R-IN-8], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-09: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2025-04-09: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-10: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-03-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (4 pages)