Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6904
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Committee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T08:07:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, titled the Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act, aims to enhance vocational rehabilitation (job training and employment support) programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities under title 38 of the U.S. Code. It introduces accountability measures, such as barring certain benefits for veterans who assault Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel, imposing spending caps and approvals, and making program eligibility and support more flexible and targeted.
Key Provisions
- Bar on Benefits for Assault Convictions (Sec. 2): Prohibits individuals convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 111 (assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer) against VA officers or employees from receiving benefits under VA education and rehabilitation chapters (30, 31, 33, 35, or 36). Applies to convictions on or after enactment.
- Extended Eligibility for Rehabilitation (Sec. 3): Extends the time a veteran can participate in vocational rehabilitation if they fail to secure employment in their trained occupation within one year after training ends.
- Approval for High-Cost Equipment (Sec. 4): Requires VA Secretary approval for rehabilitation equipment purchases exceeding $5,000. Mandates annual reports to Congress for five years detailing each approved payment, including equipment type, reason, and total per veteran's program.
- Spending Cap on Programs (Sec. 5): Limits federal funding per rehabilitation program to $250,000, with automatic annual increases starting October 1, 2026, tied to adjustments in educational assistance rates.
- Role of Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists (Sec. 6): Authorizes these specialists (defined as VA staff in Veteran Readiness and Employment or counseling psychologists) to revise veterans' individualized rehabilitation plans.
- Subsistence Allowance Location (Sec. 7): Bases a veteran's subsistence (living expense) allowance on the cost of living at either the rehabilitation institution or the veteran's residence if it is more than 25 miles away.
- Employment Counselors (Sec. 8): Directs the VA to employ an employment counselor at each regional office, to the extent feasible.
- Ineligibility for Total Disability Pay (Sec. 9): Prevents veterans in rehabilitation programs from receiving disability compensation rated as "total" due to individual unemployability (TDIU, a VA rating meaning a disability prevents substantial work despite not being 100% disabling).
- Technical Fixes (Sec. 10): Corrects minor errors in definitions and section references in existing law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new bar to benefits for assault convictions, previously not specified for VA personnel offenses.
- Introduces equipment purchase approvals, spending caps with inflation adjustments, and TDIU ineligibility—none of which existed before.
- Expands eligibility periods, specialist roles, allowance calculations, and staffing requirements.
- Requires new congressional reporting on spending.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies (VA): Increases administrative burdens through approvals, caps, reports, and counselor hiring; promotes fiscal accountability and protects staff via benefit bars.
- Citizens (Veterans): Improves access to extended training and tailored support for some, but restricts benefits for those convicted of assaults or receiving TDIU; caps may limit program scope for complex cases.
- No notable impacts on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans with service-connected disabilities in rehabilitation programs (gains flexibility but faces new restrictions).
- VA Officers/Employees (protected by assault-related benefit bars).
- VA Leadership (Secretary gains approval authority; agency must hire staff and report to Congress).
- Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs (receive oversight reports).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens VA enforcement against threats to staff; TDIU bar may face challenges if seen as reducing earned benefits without due process, though tied to active program participation. Spending caps ensure funds target employment outcomes.
- Constitutional: No clear conflicts; aligns with Congress's authority over veteran benefits (Article I, spending power).
- Political: Emphasizes accountability and efficiency in VA programs, potentially appealing to fiscal conservatives while supporting veteran employment—may spark debate on balancing punishment (benefit bars) with rehabilitation access.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Committee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-18: Committee Hearings Held
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-12-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (8 pages)