VA Work-Study Improvement Act

Bill Number: H.R. 6011
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-11-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Last Updated: 2026-06-03T08:06:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The VA Work-Study Improvement Act (H.R. 6011) aims to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Work-Study program, which provides paid work opportunities to eligible veterans and their dependents while they pursue education. The legislation expands eligible activities, ensures fair wages, modernizes record-keeping, and increases transparency through data reporting.

Key Provisions

Expanded Eligible Activities: Adds a new category allowing participants to work at state or local government agencies or nonprofit organizations on tasks that directly or indirectly benefit veterans or active-duty members of the Armed Forces.
Updated Minimum Wage Requirements: Defines "applicable hourly minimum wage" as the highest of:
The federal minimum pay rate for General Schedule (GS) employees or Federal Wage System (FWS) workers (entry-level federal pay scales).
The state minimum wage where the work occurs.
The local government minimum wage in the work area.
Electronic Timesheets: Requires the VA to enable participants to electronically record their work hours and supervisors to approve them digitally.
Annual Data Publication: Mandates the VA to publicly release yearly reports on the program, including:
Number of participants.
Participant demographics (e.g., age, gender, veteran status).
Descriptions of activities.
Wages paid and total hours worked.
List of participating educational institutions.
Effective Date: Changes apply to payments made on or after January 1, 2028.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Section 3485 of Title 38, United States Code, which governs the VA Work-Study program:

Broadens the types of approved work beyond current options (e.g., on-campus jobs or VA facilities) to include more community-based roles at governments and nonprofits.
Replaces the previous wage standard (tied solely to federal rates) with a tiered system that incorporates higher state or local minimums, potentially increasing pay for participants.
Introduces new subsections for electronic record-keeping and mandatory data transparency, which were not previously required, promoting efficiency and accountability.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The VA will need to update systems for electronic timesheets and annual reporting, increasing administrative workload but improving program oversight. State and local governments may see more veteran-focused work opportunities.
On Citizens: Eligible veterans and dependents gain access to more flexible, higher-paying jobs that support their education, potentially reducing financial barriers. Broader transparency could help identify program gaps.
On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic VA benefits.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Veterans and Dependents: Primary beneficiaries, including those using VA education benefits like the GI Bill, who can now access diverse work options.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementation, wage compliance, and data publication.
Educational Institutions: Participating schools will be listed in reports and may host or facilitate more work-study roles.
State/Local Governments and Nonprofits: Gain opportunities to employ participants on veteran-supportive tasks, potentially enhancing community services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens compliance with wage laws by aligning program pay with broader labor standards, reducing potential disputes over fair compensation. The delayed effective date allows time for regulatory adjustments.
Constitutional: No significant issues; the bill supports equal protection under the law by expanding benefits for veterans, a protected class, without infringing on individual rights.
Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (over 20 co-sponsors from both parties), signaling broad consensus on improving veteran services. It promotes accountability through public data, which could influence future funding or expansions of VA programs.

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

Sponsor

Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

Cosponsors (34)

Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

Recent Actions

2025-11-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
2025-11-10: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2025-11-10: Introduced in House
2025-11-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

VA Work-Study Improvement Act — issued 2025-11-10 — PDF (4 pages)