Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3579

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-09-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-07-11T00:53:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act (H.R. 3579) aims to strengthen the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for and find suitable employment through vocational rehabilitation services. The Act focuses on improving program access, limiting benefit durations, and enhancing oversight through data collection and independent reviews to ensure efficiency and accountability.

Key Provisions

• Application Requirements (Section 2): Veterans must submit their work history (substantive work record) and educational transcripts before receiving an initial evaluation for VR&E services. The VA determines what specific documents are appropriate.
• Duration Limits on Employment Assistance (Section 3): Employment counseling and related assistance is capped at 365 days. An additional 180 days may be granted if a counselor certifies that the veteran is actively job-seeking.
• Data Collection and Reporting (Section 4):
• The VA must submit annual reports to Congress on VR&E participants' employment outcomes, including the responsible regional VA office and the veteran's wages before and after program completion.
• The VA must publicly post average wait times on its website each year, measured from a veteran's program request to their first counseling session.
• Within one year of enactment, the VA must contract with an independent, non-VA expert organization in vocational rehabilitation to review the program and provide recommendations for improvements and modernization. The review entity must report findings to the VA within another year.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act amends Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code (which governs VR&E):

• Adds a mandatory pre-evaluation application step, previously not required, to verify eligibility more rigorously.
• Introduces time limits on employment assistance, replacing an open-ended duration with a 365-day base plus conditional extension, to prevent indefinite use of benefits.
• Establishes new mandatory data reporting and an independent program review, which were not previously required, to promote transparency and evidence-based improvements.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The VA will face increased administrative duties, such as collecting and reporting detailed data, managing wait time publications, and contracting for an independent review. This could lead to better program management and resource allocation but may require additional staffing or funding.
• On Citizens (Veterans): Eligible veterans may experience streamlined but stricter entry into the program, shorter benefit periods to encourage quicker employment outcomes, and reduced wait times through public accountability. However, some may face barriers if they lack required documents or cannot meet the job-seeking certification.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the legislation is focused solely on domestic VA programs for U.S. veterans.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries, as they are the target group for VR&E services; changes could affect access to rehabilitation, education, and job placement support.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementing the program, including application processing, counseling, data reporting, and the independent review contract.
• Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Receive reports and oversee program integrity, influencing future funding and policy.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Experts and Non-VA Entities: Involved in conducting the independent review, providing external insights to modernize the program.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The Act reinforces statutory requirements under Title 38 by adding specificity to eligibility and duration rules, potentially reducing administrative disputes over benefit extensions. It mandates compliance with data privacy laws (e.g., under the Privacy Act) when handling veterans' wage and employment information.
• Constitutional Implications: None significant; the changes align with Congress's authority to regulate federal benefits for veterans under Article I, without infringing on due process or equal protection rights.
• Political Implications: Emphasizes fiscal responsibility and program efficiency in veterans' services, which could appeal to lawmakers focused on accountability. The independent review provision promotes bipartisan oversight, potentially leading to future expansions or reforms based on evidence rather than partisan debate.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• 2025-09-15: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-09-15: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4288)
• 2025-09-15: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4288: 1)
• 2025-09-15: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3579.
• 2025-09-15: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4288)
• 2025-09-15: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2025-09-09: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 218.
• 2025-09-09: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-262.
• 2025-09-09: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-262.
• 2025-07-23: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
• 2025-07-23: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-07-03: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged
• 2025-06-11: Subcommittee Hearings Held
• 2025-06-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Bill Versions

• Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (6 pages)
• Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (4 pages)
• Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (5 pages)
• Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (8 pages)