Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9121
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-15T17:51:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act of 2026 H.R. 9121
Purpose
This legislation establishes a five-year pilot program to promote employment of eligible veterans in manufacturing roles by providing competitive grants to states. The program funds training, apprenticeships, and credentialing activities through public-private partnerships, aiming to place veterans in high-wage, high-skill manufacturing positions.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program Creation: The Secretary of Labor must run the "Veterans Manufacturing Employment Program" within the existing Veteran's Workforce Investment Program. Competitive grants go to three states, which then administer "State Manufacturing Employment Programs."
- State Eligibility and Applications: States must submit proposals showing sufficient veteran populations, a strong manufacturing sector, and capacity to operate the program. Applications require details on public-private partnerships for training and sustainable employment.
- Fund Usage: Grant money reimburses manufacturing employers and joint labor-management organizations for costs of covered training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and postsecondary credentials specific to manufacturing. States must also conduct outreach, including to rural veterans.
- Employer Requirements: Employers applying for sub-grants must report proposed pay rates for veterans, compare them to non-veteran rates in similar roles, and submit quarterly reports.
- Restrictions: Funds may only support eligible veterans; unused amounts must be repaid. Administrative costs are capped at 2 percent for the Secretary and a determined maximum for states.
- Reporting and Evaluation: Annual reports to Congress must cover activities, cost per participant, program evaluation, and recommendations for expansion. The program runs through fiscal years 2027–2031 with $10 million authorized annually.
- Definitions: "Eligible veteran" refers to those defined under title 38 U.S.C. § 101(3) who are employed in manufacturing and participating in approved training. "Manufacturing employer" covers U.S.-based businesses in NAICS sectors 31–33.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill introduces a new, time-limited pilot within the Veteran's Workforce Investment Program rather than amending core statutes. It references approval processes from 38 U.S.C. § 3687 for training programs and incorporates definitions from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. § 3102), but creates no permanent changes to those laws.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Labor gains oversight and reporting duties; participating states handle grant administration and outreach.
- Citizens: Eligible veterans gain access to funded manufacturing training and employment pathways; manufacturing employers receive partial reimbursement for training costs.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Eligible veterans seeking manufacturing careers.
- Manufacturing employers and joint labor-management organizations.
- State governments applying for and administering grants.
- The Secretary of Labor and Congress (via oversight and funding).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The measure operates under Congress's authority to support veterans' workforce development and does not alter constitutional structures. As a pilot limited to three states and specific manufacturing sectors, it emphasizes targeted, skills-based training not transferable to other industries. No major legal conflicts with existing veteran or labor laws are introduced.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-06-03: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-03 — PDF (7 pages)