The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRAINING IN HIGH-DEMAND ROLES TO IMPROVE VETERAN EMPLOYMENT ACT
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2523) to amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to improve the COVID-19 Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance program, to make certain technical corrections to the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2523
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Training in High-demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act'' or the ``THRIVE Act''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO COVID-19 VETERAN RAPID RETRAINING
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (3) of subsection (c) and inserting the following new paragraph (3):
``(3) Determination of high-demand occupations.--
``(A) Initial implementation.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the list of high-demand occupations prepared in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor.
``(B) Modifications.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may add and remove occupations from the list under subparagraph
(A) as the Secretary determines appropriate.'';
(2) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``(other than such a program pursued solely through distance learning on a half-time basis or less)'' after ``a covered program of education under the retraining assistance program under this section''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``less than a half-time basis'' and inserting ``a half-time basis or less'';
(3) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), and (h) as subsections (k), (l), and (m), respectively;
(4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsections:
``(f) Employee Assistance.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall contact each veteran who pursues a covered program of education under this section--
``(1) not later than 30 days after the date on which the veteran begins the program of education to notify the veteran of the availability of employment placement services upon completion of the program; and
``(2) not later than 14 days after the date on which the veteran completes, or terminates participation in, such program to facilitate the provision of employment placement services to such veteran.
``(g) Nonprofit Organization.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one or more qualified nonprofit organizations for the purpose of facilitating the employment of veterans who participate in the retraining assistance program under this section.
``(2) Qualified nonprofit organization.--For purposes of this subsection, a qualified nonprofit organization is a nonprofit organization that--
``(A) is an association of businesses; and
``(B) has at least two years of experience providing job placement services for veterans.
``(h) Follow up Outreach.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, shall contact each veteran who completes a covered program of education under the retraining assistance program under this section 30, 60, 90, and 180 days after the veteran completes such program of education to ask the veteran about the experience of the veteran in the retraining assistance program and the veteran's employment status.
``(i) Quarterly Reports.--Not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the following information about veterans who participate in the retraining assistance program under this section:
``(1) The percentage of such veterans who found employment before the end of the second calendar quarter after exiting the program.
``(2) The percentage of such veterans who found employment before the end of the fourth calendar quarter after exiting the program.
``(3) The median earnings of all such veterans for the second quarter after exiting the program.
``(4) The percentage of such veterans who attain a recognized postsecondary credential during the 12-month period after exiting the program.
``(j) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 180 days after the termination of the retraining assistance program under subsection (l), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the program.'';
(5) in subsection (l), as so redesignated, by striking ``No retraining assistance may be paid under this section after the date that is 21 months after the date of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``No retraining assistance may be paid under this section for a covered program of education that begins on or after December 11, 2022'';
(6) in subsection (m), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, which shall be carried out as if such section were authorized for the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to or on behalf of veterans under chapters 30, 31, and 41 of title 38, United States Code. Not more than $386,000,000 may be obligated or expended to carry out this section.''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(n) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `covered public health emergency' means the declaration--
``(A) of a public health emergency, based on an outbreak of COVID-19 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d); or
``(B) of a domestic emergency, based on an outbreak of COVID-19 by the President, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or State, or local authority.
``(2) The term `veteran' means--
``(A) a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable; or
``(B) a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who performs active service for a period of 30 days or longer by reason of the covered public health emergency.
``(3) The term `active service' has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply as if included in the enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).
SEC. 3. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS ABOUT POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Additional Information To Be Provided.--Subsection (c) of section 3698 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(C)--
(A) in clause (xi), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (xii), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
``(xiii) whether the institution is listed on the College Navigator website as affiliated with a religion and, if so, which religious denomination;
``(xiv) whether the Secretary of Education or other head of a department or agency of the Federal Government has determined that the institution is a minority serving institution and, if so, which one or more types of minority serving institutions; and
``(xv) whether the institution is gender specific.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that such information is provided in a searchable format.''.
(b) Definition.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(3) The term `College Navigator website' has the meaning given that term in section 132 of the Higher Education Act
(20 U.S.C. 1015a).
``(4) The term `minority serving institution' means any of the following:
``(A) A part B institution, as such term is defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)).
``(B) A Hispanic-serving institution, as such term is defined in section 502(a)(5) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(5)).
``(C) A Tribal College or University, as such term is defined in section 316(b)(3) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3)).
``(D) A predominantly Black institution, as such term is defined in section 318(b)(6) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)(6)).
``(E) A Native American-serving, nontribal institution, as such term is defined in section 319(b)(2) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059f(b)(6)).
``(F) An Alaska Native-serving institution or Native Hawaiian-serving institution, as such terms are defined in section 317(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)).
``(G) An Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, as such term is defined in section 320(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059g(b)).''.
(c) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the information provided under section 3698 of title 38, United States Code, beginning on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. DELAY OF EFFECTIVE DATE FOR LIMITATION ON COLOCATION
AND ADMINISTRATION OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.
Section 1024 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020
(Public Law 116-315) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1024. LIMITATION ON COLOCATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF
STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.
``(a) In General.--Section 3671 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`` `(c) The Secretary may not recognize a State department or agency as the State approving agency for a State for purposes of this chapter if such department or agency is administered at, or colocated with, a university or university system that offers courses or programs of education that are subject to approval under this chapter by the State approving agency for that State.'.
``(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.''.
SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY OF TREATMENT OF
CERTAIN FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Clarification.--Section 1022(c) of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315) is amended by inserting ``, or the conversion of a for-profit educational institution to a public educational institution,'' after
``nonprofit educational institution''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply as if included in the enactment of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315).
SEC. 6. CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Subsection (f) of section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 1018 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(E), by inserting ``, to the maximum extent practicable,'' after ``including'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``, or any person with whom the institution has an agreement to provide educational programs, marketing, advertising, recruiting or admissions services,'' after ``educational institution'';
(B) in paragraph (A)(ii), by striking ``1-month'' and inserting ``one-month''; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following new subparagraph (B):
``(B) Provides a commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.'';
(3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following new clauses:
``(ii) Suspending the approval of the courses and programs of education offered by the educational institution by disapproving new enrollments of eligible veterans and eligible persons in each course or program of education offered by that educational institution.
``(iii) Revoking the approval of the courses and programs of education offered by the educational institution by disapproving all enrollments of eligible veterans and eligible persons in each course or program of education offered by that educational institution''; and
(4) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``1-academic-year period'' and inserting ``one-academic-year period''.
SEC. 7. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) Title 38.--Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
(1) The second section 1164, as added by section 5501 the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), is redesignated as section 1166 and transferred so as to appear after section 1165 (and the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11 of such title is conformed accordingly).
(2) Subsection (l) of section 3313, as added by section 1010 of such Act (as effective on August 1, 2021), is amended to read as follows:
``(l) Verification of Enrollment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require--
``(A) each educational institution to submit to the Secretary verification of each individual who is enrolled in a course or program of education at the educational institution and is receiving educational assistance under this chapter--
``(i) not later than such time as the Secretary determines reasonable after the date on which the individual is enrolled; and
``(ii) not later than such time as the Secretary determines reasonable after the last date on which a student is able to withdraw from the course or program of education without penalty; and
``(B) each individual who is enrolled in a course or program of education and is receiving educational assistance under this chapter to submit to the Secretary verification of such enrollment for each month during which the individual is so enrolled and receiving such educational assistance.
``(2) Form of verification.--Verification under this subsection shall be in an electronic form prescribed by the Secretary.
``(3) Failure to submit verification.--If an individual fails to submit the verification required under paragraph
(1)(B) for two consecutive months, the Secretary may not make a monthly housing stipend payment to the individual under this section until the individual submits such verification.''.
(3) Section 3673A, as added by section 1013 of such Act, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``searchable''; and
(B) in subsection (c), by inserting ``searchable'' before
``database''.
(4) The subsection (f) of section 3679, as added by section 1017 of such Act, is redesignated as paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of such section 3679 and is transferred so as to appear after paragraph (2) of such subsection.
(5) Section 3696(g)(4)(A)(iii)(III), as amended by section 1020 of such Act, is amended by striking ``paragraph (3)(B) of this subsection'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)''.
(b) Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.--The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315) is amended as follows:
(1) In section 1013(a)(1), by inserting ``of title 38'' after ``of chapter 36''.
(2) In section 2205(c)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Effective Date'' and inserting ``Applicability''; and
(B) by striking ``the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to grants applications submitted on or after the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.''
(3) In section 4101(b), by striking ``subchapter'' and inserting ``chapter''.
(4) In section 5501--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``of such title'' and inserting ``of title 38, United States Code''; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``section 1164'' each place it appears and inserting ``section 1166''.
SEC. 8. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2523, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2523, as amended, the Training in High-Demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act, or THRIVE Act.
H.R. 2523, as amended, builds off the work of the American Rescue Plan to deliver employment training quicker and more effectively to veterans who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
The American Rescue Plan was one of the most important pieces of legislation many of us will ever have the chance to vote on, making generational investments into veteran healthcare, homelessness, and job training programs.
Following the passage of that legislation into law, the Department of Veterans Affairs highlighted some improvements to the law to deliver job training benefits quicker and more equitably to all Americans, regardless of where they live.
The legislation before us will get those benefits out quicker to veterans and will improve the recordkeeping of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor to ensure veterans are aware of options available to them to find quality employment.
The THRIVE Act will also see the VA partner with local business groups to facilitate job placement.
Madam Speaker, in addition, the Department shared with our committee ways to improve the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, to improve the experience for student veterans who are still being impacted by classroom experiences due to COVID-19.
This is why this legislation, offered by Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chairman Mike Levin and Ranking Member Mike Bost, is so timely and important.
This legislation is endorsed by many VSOs, including the Student Veterans of America, the National Association of State Approving Agencies, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans.
I wish to thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing H.R. 2523, as amended, to the floor so quickly. I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this legislation to ensure VA can deliver assistance to our veterans as quickly as possible.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2523, as amended, the Training in High-Demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act, or THRIVE Act.
This legislation would make needed improvements to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It would also make several technical corrections to the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Improvement Act of 2020.
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our economy. It has closed small businesses across the country and left millions of Americans unemployed. That includes an estimated half a million veterans. Before the pandemic, the veterans unemployment rate was at a near record low. Today, it is almost double that.
We must help our veterans get back to work. I introduced the Veterans Economic Recovery Act earlier this year to do just that. That bill created the Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program, or V-RAP. V-
RAP allows veterans who are unemployed because of COVID-19 to receive rapid retraining to compete for high-demand jobs.
The bulk of the Veterans Economic Recovery Act was enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan. Unfortunately, because Speaker Pelosi used the reconciliation process to pass the ARP, there were several provisions of V-RAP that were not included. That is why I was pleased to work with Chairman Levin on the bill before us today. It would finish the job and ensure that V-RAP is set up for success.
Specifically, the THRIVE Act would allow the VA to add jobs to the in-demand occupations list so the training leads to meaningful employment; require the VA to work with the Department of Labor and nonprofit organizations to ensure that V-RAP participants are provided employment services once their training is over; require the GAO to report on the overall effectiveness of V-RAP; and make changes to how the VA pays schools for training that participants receive so that it can be used by the veterans very quickly.
While I am glad the changes are being made, it is unfortunate they were not initially addressed in the ARP.
The THRIVE Act also includes the text of the bill by Representative Torres of California. Her bill would add information to the GI Bill comparison tool to let the veterans know if schools have a religious affiliation or have historically served a particular minority population. This will help veterans be better informed when they decide to use their GI Bill benefits.
I thank Representative Torres for her work, and I am glad that we were able to include her legislation in this bill.
I am grateful to Chairman Takano and Congressman Levin for working with me on the THRIVE Act. I am confident that it will help veterans get back on their feet.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Levin), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, the author of the bill, and also my good friend and fellow Californian.
Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I thank our great chairman, Chairman Takano, and our ranking member for their great work. It is an honor to continue serving our veterans in a bipartisan manner and to chair the relevant subcommittee.
As the Representative for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and thousands of military families in the region, I am incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished in the past few years for our Nation's veterans.
Back in January of this year, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into law. It was a historic omnibus bill for veterans that strengthened many benefits and services for those who have served our country. It was a great bipartisan accomplishment. Again, I am grateful to all of my colleagues for getting it across the finish line.
It included provisions to improve services for homeless veterans, to protect GI Bill benefits, improve the Transition Assistance Program for servicemembers returning to civilian life, and so much more. It was the product, again, of bipartisan, bicameral work, proof that we can do things on a bipartisan basis here in Washington, D.C., and I was proud to help lead that bill.
Most recently, we passed the American Rescue Plan, a landmark piece of legislation to help Americans get through this pandemic, including our veterans who have struggled to get back on their feet during this difficult time.
A key piece of that bill was nearly $400 million for a rapid retraining program for veterans who are unemployed as a result of this pandemic and don't have access to other veteran education benefits.
Both of these bills were huge accomplishments; but, like all legislation, they weren't perfect, and there are still steps that we must take to make these programs work even better for the veterans they are intended to serve.
That is why I was proud to introduce legislation with Ranking Member
Mike Bost of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, amending the American Rescue Plan and the Isakson-Roe legislation to improve job training and education programs for our veterans.
For example, our bill makes changes to the Rapid Retraining Assistance Program so we are focusing on high-demand occupations.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California.
Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it will also improve the VA's communication with veterans about employment placement services. It will clarify veterans' eligibility for housing stipends under the retraining program. And it will ensure the VA works with qualified nonprofit business associations to facilitate the employment of participating veterans.
Nothing in this bill is controversial. It is all about improving existing veterans' programs so they can get back to work and make the most of the services they have earned and deserve.
Madam Speaker, I hope we can pass this bill without delay, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Cawthorn).
Mr. CAWTHORN. Madam Speaker, America's veterans are facing an unemployment crisis that threatens their livelihoods. While this current government focuses on giving jobs to illegal immigrants, approximately half a million veterans are out of work as of March 2021.
Americans often talk about their love of our troops. As politicians, we often take victory laps through our districts meeting veterans and pledging to work for them. Now it is time for us to act on that pledge. The THRIVE Act represents a commonsense step to empower both veterans and educational institutions who provide much-needed workforce training.
I come from a family of veterans. For six generations, the men of my family have served their country proudly in the Armed Forces. I represent the first generation to enter a different type of service. While I cannot say I have experienced the trauma and sacrifice that our men and women have experienced on the battlefield, I have witnessed the brutally difficult task of transitioning back to the home front. If we, as elected Representatives, can ease that process and reduce veteran unemployment in one fell swoop, then I firmly believe that we are obligated to do so.
The THRIVE Act would ensure that the additional authorities and funding Congress provided for unemployed veterans work as intended to help veterans in need to find good, well-paying jobs. Let's enable our veterans to transition back into civilian life. Those who have given so much to this Nation deserve nothing less.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
{time} 1430
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I want to thank all the Members who were involved in moving forward with this legislation, especially Chairman Takano, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the bipartisan way in which we moved forward on this bill. I want to thank all my colleagues, and I urge all of them to join me in passing H.R. 2523, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2523, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 68
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up