Veterans Fellowship Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1884
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-19T09:08:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Veterans Fellowship Act (H.R. 1884) aims to support veterans' transition to civilian employment by establishing a pilot program for short-term fellowships. It directs the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training to enable states to fund these fellowships using existing grants, helping veterans gain work experience and potential long-term job opportunities.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program Authority: The Assistant Secretary must implement a pilot program allowing states to use grants or contracts under section 4102A(b)(5) of title 38, United States Code (which funds veterans' employment services) to support short-term fellowship programs.
- State Selection and Agreements: The program will operate in 3 to 5 selected states. Each participating state must partner with a non-profit organization via an agreement to administer the fellowships.
- Fellowship Details:
- Veterans serve as fellows with an employer for up to 20 weeks.
- Fellows receive a monthly stipend during the program.
- The program provides opportunities for long-term employment with the host employer after completion.
- Reporting Requirement: The Comptroller General (an independent auditor for the U.S. government) must submit a report on the program's effectiveness to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs within four years of the program's start.
- Funding: Authorizes $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, in addition to existing funds under the referenced law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the use of grants under 38 U.S.C. § 4102A(b)(5), which previously supported general veterans' employment and training services, to specifically include funding for short-term fellowship programs.
- Introduces new authorization of appropriations dedicated to this pilot, providing fresh funding beyond current allocations for veterans' programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor (DOL) will oversee program implementation and state selections, increasing administrative responsibilities. The Government Accountability Office (GAO, formerly Comptroller General) will conduct evaluation, potentially influencing future DOL policies on veteran employment.
- On Citizens: Primarily benefits veterans by offering paid work experience and job placement pathways, potentially reducing unemployment among this group. Employers may gain access to motivated talent without long-term commitments initially.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic veteran employment initiatives.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, gaining fellowships, stipends, and employment opportunities.
- States and Non-Profit Organizations: Selected states and their non-profit partners will administer programs, potentially building local employment networks.
- Employers: Participate by hosting fellows, which could lead to hiring skilled workers.
- Department of Labor: Leads implementation and funding distribution.
- Congressional Committees: Receive the GAO report, informing potential expansions or adjustments to veteran support laws.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing federal authority under title 38 of the U.S. Code without creating new entitlements, minimizing legal challenges. The pilot's limited scope (3-5 states) allows testing before broader application.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to promote general welfare, particularly for veterans, and does not raise federalism concerns as it involves voluntary state participation.
- Political: Reinforces bipartisan support for veteran affairs (introduced by representatives from both parties), potentially serving as a model for future employment programs. Success could lead to permanent legislation, while the GAO report ensures accountability and data-driven policy decisions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-03-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Fellowship Act — issued 2025-03-05 — PDF (3 pages)