Veterans Career Connection Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6650

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Last Updated

2026-01-31T09:05:25Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Veterans Career Connection Act aims to improve job placement for veterans and transitioning military members by creating a centralized program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to share their professional skills and experiences with potential employers. This helps bridge the gap between military service and civilian careers.

Key Provisions

• Program Establishment: The VA must create the "Veterans Transition Talent Hub," a searchable database that provides information on eligible individuals to appropriate employers seeking talent with relevant skills.
• Eligible Participants:
• Veterans (former service members) or active-duty members of the Armed Forces who are eligible for pre-separation counseling (guidance provided before leaving the military) and who choose to opt in.
• Shared Information: Employers can access data including:
• Expected discharge or release date from active duty.
• Military and civilian skills, certifications, or credentials (e.g., training or qualifications earned).
• Preferred locations for work and job types.
• A resume or personal profile.
• Consultation Requirements: The VA must collaborate with:
• The Department of Defense (DoD).
• The Department of Labor (DOL).
• Private employers.
• Recognized veterans service organizations (non-profits supporting veterans).
• State workforce development agencies (government offices that help with job training and placement).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill amends Chapter 41 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code (which covers VA employment and training programs for veterans) by adding a new Section 4111.
• It introduces a new, dedicated talent-matching program focused on data sharing, which did not previously exist in this form. Existing laws support veteran job counseling but lack this specific employer-accessible hub for skills and profiles.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The VA will need to build and maintain the database, increasing administrative workload but fostering better coordination with DoD and DOL for smoother military-to-civilian transitions.
• On Citizens: Veterans and transitioning service members may find jobs faster due to targeted employer outreach, potentially reducing unemployment rates among this group (which are often higher than the general population).
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic employment support for U.S. military personnel.
• Overall, it could enhance economic reintegration for about 200,000 service members who leave active duty annually, indirectly boosting workforce participation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Veterans and Service Members: Primary beneficiaries, gaining visibility to employers.
• Employers: Businesses and organizations that hire, benefiting from a streamlined way to find qualified candidates with military-honed skills like leadership and technical expertise.
• Government Entities: VA (leads implementation), DoD (provides transition data), DOL (supports job matching), and state agencies (aid local workforce integration).
• Veterans Service Organizations: Non-profits that advocate for and assist veterans, involved in program consultation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The program emphasizes voluntary participation and data privacy (implied through "appropriate" entity access), aligning with existing federal privacy laws like those under the Privacy Act. No new enforcement mechanisms are added, but it builds on Title 38's veteran support framework without overriding other statutes.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it supports the government's role in aiding veterans as a "special class" under Article I (spending power for public welfare), consistent with long-standing precedents like those in the GI Bill.
• Political: Reinforces bipartisan support for veteran affairs (introduced with cosponsors from both parties), potentially appealing in election cycles focused on military families. It may encourage private-sector hiring of veterans without mandates, avoiding controversy over quotas or incentives.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
• 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Veterans Career Connection Act — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (3 pages)