▶ 0:36:27Subcommittee will come to order. Good afternoon everyone. Today we're going to be marking up 12 bills. I'll be asking unanimous consent to consider several bills in block. So ordered. All these bills were considered at a legislative hearing by the subcommittee very thoughtfully. I will mind you, remind you. I'm supportive of many of the bills on today's agenda as they're important measures that will streamline the delivery of benefits for veterans and their families by modernizing the GI Bill program, providing additional resources and affordability to disabled veterans, and improving the VA home loan program.
▶ 0:36:57In accordance with committee rules, the subcommittee has contacted the Congressional Budget Office seeking informal preliminary cost estimates for each of the bills being considered today. Many of these preliminary scores are only a range of potential costs because the subcommittee still has not received official cost estimates on the bill from the Congressional Budget Office. And unfortunately, none of these bills being considered today uh include the offset that will be required to move them forward in the legislative process.
▶ 0:37:22So, we're going to try to figure out how to get this done because there are, as I said, a lot of bills here from both sides of the aisle that uh really have a lot of merit for our veterans. Uh we want to make sure that we're not passing legislation out of the subcommittee that would increase the debt for the American taxpayers. So we also want to make sure that we're passing stuff through the subcommittee that I think is going to help our veterans. One of the provisions within the bill we considered today would increase the monthly housing allowance for on the job training and apprentichip programs. America's veterans should be able to pursue whatever education route they prefer to attain meaningful employment.
▶ 0:37:53Another bill on today's agenda would streamline the way VA currently pays its providers for automobile adaptive equipment and provide additional oversight to the timeliness of these adaptive vehicles. Another bill we plan to consider today would add emergency technologies into the Vette program so that the VA is identifying emerging technologies and the routes to get veterans into these critical paths career paths. Sorry. I still have concerns about se several of the bills we're marking up today and the amendments we received that were late.
▶ 0:38:20my committee, uh, my colleagues across the aisle were not afraid to call the administration, nor was I, to be crystal clear. The last time the VA showed up here, um, they were late and they put us in a bind, which I don't appreciate at all. I just want to quote Ranking Member Tano from that hearing. We did not receive the testimony until after 6 p.m. last night, giving us little opportunity to review it prior to this hearing. Today, he uh proceeded to say, "This is inexcusable.
▶ 0:38:44this should never happen again and I want to reiterate that it will not happen again uh or I will lodge an even larger protest with the chairman so that all of the uh amendments that were past the uh 14:30 deadline will not be considered today. I'll note that there are multiple opportunities to improve and make necessary changes to the bills on the agenda. Uh the rank member uh Mr. Papus and I will continue to work with our colleagues on the committee and any stakeholders that have [snorts] feedback on these bills as we will as we continue to work through the legislative process.
▶ 0:39:14I look forward to continuing to make necessary changes to legislation before any consideration before the full committee. I am very proud of the nonpartisan work of the subcommittee we continue to do and I believe that the bills we're considering and the manner in which we're considering them today truly reflects that process. I look forward to working with ranking member Pap Pis as I always do and other members of the subcommittee to find reasonable offsets to these bills. I now recognize the distinguished ranking member from the great state of
▶ 0:39:40New Hampshire.
▶ 0:39:41New Hampshire. Live free or die.
▶ 0:39:43Well, I would prefer to live free at this point, sir.
▶ 0:39:46So, I'd like to recognize uh Mr. Papis for any opening remarks he may have.
▶ 0:39:51Thanks, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate how you always try to keep the work here as efficient as possible. We all will like quick markups, but I think it's important that we utilize the time on this subcommittee as best we can to debate and make improvements to legislation that's under consideration before us, not just giving them the green light and passing the buck to the full committee to take care of it. So many of the bills before us today were on our January legislative hearing.
▶ 0:40:12We received feedback on them from VSOs and the Department of Veterans Affairs and as such we should be using this time to take recommendations we received to give them the consideration that they owed and updating legislation before us. That's what I intend to try to do today with amendments that I want to offer. Now, it can be tempting to say we'll just fix these bills at full committee, but that negates the very purpose of this subcommittee and the markup process. So, as a chair and ranking member of the subcommittee on economic opportunity, I think we should be debating and working toward the best policy for these bills under consideration.
▶ 0:40:40Uh, and there's some really good, worthy bills that we're talking about today. Uh, this is our job, not something that we should just pass off to the full committee. So, I understand that some of the legislation before us today is awaiting technical assistance still from VA. I also understand that some of my amendments today may get voted down by the majority because we only received a legislative text uh just yesterday from the majority and they might not feel like they have enough time to review them. Uh to that I would say there's no need to rush at the expense of better policy for our veterans. We're all after that. So Mr.
▶ 0:41:07Chairman, if bills aren't ready, still need work or lack bipartisan agreement, let's keep working on them and uh let's not necessarily just force them through today. So I commit to you to working with you as as closely as we possibly can uh on the bills before us under consideration and on all the other issues and priorities of our subcommittee. Um so I'm grateful for that. I just want to point out one additional fact here. Um and that's that we have an equal number of Democratic and Republican bills on the agenda today. So, I'm grateful for that. I think this is a good sign of the bipartisanship of this subcommittee.
▶ 0:41:35Um, but um this is happening um after an imbalance that occurred in previous um markups of the subcommittee. So, I I think that we need to continue to look at the whole package of legislation that we've moved through the subcommittee and making sure that uh that all points of views are reflected here. Uh so, I'm grateful for your leadership. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 0:41:54Thank you, Mr. Papis. The ranking member yields back. Yeah, you know what, Chris, you're right. this if we're saying this is a nonpartisan committee, it needs to be so. And uh it's going to sound like a shocking statement, but just because you're a Democrat doesn't mean you can't have great ideas. And a lot of the amendments that are here are great ideas. So I will now ask unanimous, excuse me, uh unanimous consent to consider the endlock the following bills that do not have amendments. HR7049, Improving the Mental Health Care and Coordination for Homeless Veterans Act.
▶ 0:42:23HR 3159 improving SC benefit un utilization act HR 5436 to amend title 38 United States code to prohibit an educational institution from withholding a transcript from an individual who pursued a course or program of education such as the institution using post uh 911 educational assistance HR 7150 to amend title 38 United States code to require the secretary of veterans affairs to submit to Congress quarterly report
▶ 0:42:54for housing loans [clears throat] insured, guaranteed or under the laws administered by the secretary and for other purposes, HR1 1957 and Veterans Homeless Act of 2025 and HR1 1965 Veterans Education Assistance Adjustment Act. I would ask that the reading of the bills be dispensed with and that the bills be open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. I recognize myself for a moment to say uh say a few words about these bills.
▶ 0:43:21Um, these bills are going to require employees to conduct a VA homeless assessment and upload the assessment to the electronic health record to make sure that no veteran falls through the cracks. Increases the stipen for books, supplies, and other educational costs from $1,000 to $1,400 and allow for an annual increase based on consumer price index. Increase the HUD VASH reporting requirements. I just want to take a second to speak about that very specifically.
▶ 0:43:45We have homeless veterans and it's unacceptable and we have so much money sitting here in these HUDVASH programs that people just don't know about. So when I go back to the district, they're like, "Why do we have homeless veterans?" I say, "Do you realize we have millions of dollars worth of HUDVASH vouchers that are not being used?" And they have no idea. And so Mr. Tano put this in and you know, it's a it's a great idea. So we need to get this done. So that the the monies that we allocate as members of Congress actually get to these homeless veterans and a lot of it's just an education pro process.
▶ 0:44:14So, I'm actually very proud of Mr. McConnell for doing that. Include information for the Service Member Civil Rights Relief Act that would improve consumer financial protections to expand their financial literacy, prohibit educational institutions from withholding the the transcripts of individuals who owe a debt to a school, provide additional reporting requirements on the loans guaranteed insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Do any members wish to speak on any of the bills included in the N Okay.
▶ 0:44:42Hearing none, I now recognize Representative Barrett for a motion.
▶ 0:44:46Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the subcommittee favor report HR7049, HR 3159, HR 5436, HR 7150, HR1 1957, and HR1 1965 to the full committee.
▶ 0:44:59Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Papus. We'll move that forward in a second. But, uh, I now recognize ranking member
▶ 0:45:05Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to be um clear that I'm supporting this onblock package. There are a number of good bills here. I will highlight a few of them. Representative Mlan Delane's bill to improve service members knowledge and utilization of their SC benefits. Uh Representative Manion's bill that will stop the practice of transcript withholding for veterans and family members using their post 911 GI benefits. And Representative Whiteside's bill that will require VA to publish more data on the VA home loan program to ensure proper oversight.
▶ 0:45:31I also want to draw attention to Representative Vasquez's bill to raise books and fees uh that stipened for post 911 GI Bill to match inflation. It's one that members will be hearing a lot about as veterans from VFW and Student Veterans of America will come to the Hill next week to tell us about their specific priorities. All four of these bills are non-controversial, have bipartisan support, and are good policies. I appreciate these members who may not be on our committee, but nonetheless took an interest in veterans issues, took the time to hear from veterans, and have presented us with policies to make VA better.
▶ 0:46:00The remaining two bills deal with veteran housing and security, and I'm glad we're finally taking action on these bills because it's our shared priority on the subcommittee. So the chairman and I have come to an agreement to move both Mr. Valado's improving mental health care and coordination for homeless veterans act and ranking member Takano's bill which you mentioned Mr. Chairman the end veteran homelessness act. As part of this agreement the full committee will take up ranking member Takano's bill at the next markup. We'll work together to meet with and encourage our counterparts on the financial services committee who share jurisdiction over the HUDVASH program to take swift action here.
▶ 0:46:30The end veteran homelessness stack would be a huge step to quite literally end veteran homelessness by expanding the eligibility for HUDVASH to housing insecure veterans who have been ineligible or unable to access it. HUDVASH is the most successful permanent housing program in history. This change will simultaneously increase voucher utilization while driving the number of veterans experiencing homelessness now down uh to data points that have not budged over the last few years. This bill will put veterans that are currently homeless into permanent housing, and I look forward to working with Chairman Van Warden as we move this through the committee process.
▶ 0:47:00On Mr. Valado's bill, we're awaiting technical assistance back from VA to help improve the bill. But we've also agreed that changes will be made to incorporate feedback from the testimony the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans provided in our January hearing and informal feedback received from providers and grantees serving homeless veterans. The chairman and I further agreed to change the scope of the bill from VA homelessness program employees who are already largely required to do the assessments outlined in the original bill to cover all VA employees and those working with community partners.
▶ 0:47:28While the experts under VA homelessness program office will still do the assessments, we want to ensure that the people directly interacting with veterans experiencing housing insecurity are empowered and required to identify and connect these veterans and their families to resources. So, we'll need to work through what uh this will look like for VA's community partners, how these changes will interact with VA's electronic health record, and if the Vizen or VA central office will be responsible for these changes. There's certainly a lot of work to do on Mr. Valido's bill, but these changes will be for the better.
▶ 0:47:54And I'm excited that we are moving two substantive bills addressing veteran homelessness. We still need to consider and advance Dr. Des Dexter's Every Veteran Housed and Mr. Riley's Veteran Housing Promise Act uh two more freshman bills uh from freshman members that are committed to addressing housing insecurity among veterans. So moving HR1 1957 and 7049 is a good start and I hope we can continue this bipartisan momentum and I yield back. The gentleman yields back. Uh there is a motion on the table from Mr.
▶ 0:48:22Barrett there to favorably forward uh bills included in the onblock to the full committee. All in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:48:30All oppose say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the bills are favorably be forwarded to the full committee. The motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. It's kind of fun to do that once in a while. Uh HR 5634, the Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act of 2025. I now call up HR5634, the Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act of 2025. The clerk shall report the bill.
▶ 0:48:53Hr 5436.
▶ 0:48:55The bill was circulated in advance and pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with. The bill is open to amendment at any point. I now recognize myself for the purpose of offering an amendment to the nature of the substitute. The clerk shall report the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 0:49:11Amendment in the nature of a substitute to a
▶ 0:49:13I ask unanimous consent that the further reading of the amendment of the nature and the substitute is dispensed with. I ask that it be considered base text for the purposes of the markup. Without objection. So ordered. I now recognize myself for five minutes. Uh, this ANS is going to allow student veterans to use an entitlement up to $119,684 for flight training and and tuition, excuse me, flight training, tuition, and fees. Currently, there there is no overall limit on what the veteran can pay, but they can re receive up to a year in education benefits.
▶ 0:49:43This bill would prevent schools from continuing to overcharge veterans. It would also allow veterans to participate in flight training year round. Additionally, it would create a transfer system from a hard cap to months and all for use or excuse me, unused benefits to be credited back to the veteran. Do any members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of substitute to HR5634?
▶ 0:50:07The chair now recognizes ranking member
▶ 0:50:10Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just very briefly, I appreciate correcting the introduced language to match what the House uh um last Congress passed and so I'll support this ANS and I yield back. The gentleman yields back. Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR5634? Hearing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR5634. All in favor say I.
▶ 0:50:35All oppose say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed Uh no. The motion to reconsider has been laid upon the table. I now recognize Rep. Barrett for a motion.
▶ 0:50:50Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move the committee move the committee forward HR5634 as amended favorably to the House of Representatives.
▶ 0:50:57The question is on favorably forwarding the bill HR5634 as amended to the full committee. All those in favor say I. All oppose say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and HR5634 as amendment is amended, sorry, is forwarded favorably to the full committee. The motion is to reconsider is laid upon the table. I will now call up HR7038, the Cruz Act.
▶ 0:51:24The clerk shall report the to amend.
▶ 0:51:28Text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. I ask the reading of the bill be dispensed with and be open to amendment at any point. Hearing no objection, so ordered. Do any members wish to speak on this bill? The chair now recognizes ranking member
▶ 0:51:46Oh, thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman, as I said during the legislative hearing in January, we absolutely need to ensure that vendors are getting paid on time. We've heard directly from them about how unpaid invoices are a drag on their business and some vendors are no longer working with veterans because of it. So, I understand the frustration with VA. They should have solved this issue on their own years ago. But because this requires two agencies within the department to work together, communication silos have impeded progress and it's hard to assign accountability or responsibility to a a single senior executive or entity. Uh but Mr.
▶ 0:52:16Chairman, this is one of the bills I was talking about not rushing to failure on. I understand that we're expecting written technical assistance from VA this Friday in an update on the future of this program in the next week or two. VA also stated in their testimony before us in January and on follow-up calls with staff that they weren't sure what benefit program we were even trying to address in the legislation. So VA also identified that the central office doesn't have the space, full-time employees or expertise to process these claims as required by the bill currently.
▶ 0:52:43Furthermore, the legislation currently does not have a definition for when the 30-day processing timeline outlined in the bill actually starts. So, I feel like we need to get a fix for this, and I understand the implications if we sacrifice better policy to fix this for the sake of pushing it through this committee process today. At this point in the 119th Congress, we only have one shot at getting this right. And it'll take several years for the necessary changes to address these unanswered questions um to see Congress act and to have them implemented by VA.
▶ 0:53:11So, this is going to be too long for many small businesses who are doing this great work to survive. So, it has to be done right the first time. Whatever happens with uh the amendment that I'll be proposing, um I look forward to and expect that we can continue to work together on this bill as we receive further information from VA. With that, I yield back.
▶ 0:53:26The ranking member yields back. The chair now recognizes Mr. Barrett.
▶ 0:53:30Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and uh the ranking member and other members of the committee for uh considering my bill today. HR7083, the centralized reimbursement for upgraded innovative services equipment act or the cruise act for short. Uh my bill would require the VA to develop a plan and centralize all payments for the adaptive automotive equipment program. This is the program that furnishes veterans with an adaptive vehicle or other mobility equipment that they may need uh for their particular circumstance.
▶ 0:53:57The purpose behind this bill is the fact that the VA has been delinquent in furnishing prompt payment to vendors that uh do this kind of work. Uh the concern that we have is that this is going to ultimately lead to fewer and fewer vendors available to help veterans in this effort. Now uh I recognize that the VA has uh been a little bit slow in uh giving us um their advice as to how we can craft this in the most professional way. I appreciate that the minority has put forward an amendment on this.
▶ 0:54:24However, this bill is done for a reason, which is that the VA has not fixed this problem on their own. And ultimately, we have to make the rules under which they are governed by, and that is important to hold them accountable to that standard. I've heard from far too many vendors that they have had delinquent and delayed payment for far too long, in some instances, more than 90, 120, 180 days or longer to get payment, which is far beyond the standard that we should expect. My bill will address that.
▶ 0:54:51It will be done in a centralized way uh that will bring about a clear standard under which payment will be remitted and it should improve things uh for the entire system. So with that, Mr. Chairman, I will yield back. Thank you.
▶ 0:55:00The gentleman yields back. Do any members wish to offer an amendment? I now recognize uh ranking member Pepis to offer an amendment to HR7083.
▶ 0:55:09Thanks, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk.
▶ 0:55:12The clerk shall report the amendment.
▶ 0:55:14Amendment to HR7083 offered by Mr.
▶ 0:55:16Unanimous consent that further reading the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection. So ordered. The gentleman is now recognized for five minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 0:55:24Thanks, Mr. Chairman. I offer this amendment to the Cruz Act today to identify um to address identified issues with the bill as drafted. I have no doubt that the bill will be modified further as we get more information from VA, but this amendment will fix issues with the legislation that we know about today. Put simply, the amendment will require that VA specialize processing of these claims at up to five VBA regional offices instead of centralizing within VA central office, which doesn't have the capacity, capability, workforce, or supervisory structure to process these claims.
▶ 0:55:52This prevents us from creating a whole new administrative structure within the central office, duplicating efforts, and wasting more uh FTE slots. The amendment also defines the start of the 30-day window in the legislation as the day the vehicle modification is delivered or accepted by the veteran. This ensures that the bill does what we expect it to do without any confusing, misleading metrics. This means vendors will be paid within 30 days of delivering their work.
▶ 0:56:15Finally, the amendment adds a requirement that VA must provide a public report every 6 months for two years on the average amounts of time it takes each VBA regional office to make payments. The report is required to break out the amounts of of time claims were waiting with VHA, VBA, or the claimant to provide additional information so we can identify where the bottlenecks are. So, I urge all my colleagues to support this common sense amendment and uh am serious about uh our um intention to continue working with you on this underlying legislation. I yield back.
▶ 0:56:44The gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself for five minutes to speak on this amendment. Uh as stated earlier, this amendment was not submitted on time or circulated in advance and we we can't control the administration. And I was just as harsh on the Biden administration as I just was on at the Trump administration about getting stuff here on time to give us us the ability to reflect on things in a thoughtful manner. And uh it's it's inexcusable from any administration in the executive branch.
▶ 0:57:10What we can control is ourselves and I expect to do that and I hold you to I expect you to hold me to the same standard and I would appreciate that. Um, this amendment would assign five VA regional offices to to centralize the payments within the automobile adaptive program. This does not specify how those regional offices would be assigned. This amendment would also define the 30-day start clock for when the vehicle uh modernization begins and add additional reporting requirements.
▶ 0:57:39I do think some of the changes need to be made to this bill at the full committee once VA provides technical assistance, which as Mr. Pep said will be this Friday. and I look forward to working with the ranking member on ways to get this done. With that, I urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment. Do any other members wish to comment on this amendment?
▶ 0:57:57Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the uh ranking member Paps amendment to HR7038. All those in favor say I.
▶ 0:58:05All those opposed say no.
▶ 0:58:07In the opinion of the chair, the nose have it and the amendment is not agreed Are there any further hearing? None. Yeah. Sorry. Hearing now. I now recognize Representative Barrett for a motion.
▶ 0:58:23Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the subcommittee favorably favorably report HR7083 to the full committee.
▶ 0:58:29There is a motion to favorably forward the bill to the full committee. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:58:33All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the I7 and the bill HR7038 is favorably forward to the full committee. The motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. kind of fun. I now call up HR 7103, the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act. The clerk shall report the bill.
▶ 0:58:53HR 7103 to amend Title 38, United States Code to
▶ 0:58:57the text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with. The bill is now open for amendment at any point. I now recognize Representative Amade for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a
▶ 0:59:10Thank you, Mr. chairman, and thank you for your support as a co-sponsor of my legislation HR 7103, the improving emerging tech opportunities for veterans HR 7103 offer
▶ 0:59:33ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of a substitute be dispensed with. I ask that it uh be considered for base text for the purpose of the markup. Without objection, so ordered. I now recognize Representative Amade for 5 minutes to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 0:59:48Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm proud to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute to my bill to reform Vette and the transition assistance program to include quote emerging technologies such as AI and semiconductors so that no veteran is left behind. Under the Trump administration, America is making a generational investment in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor production. This involves billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs.
▶ 1:00:13We should not be leaving veterans behind while importing foreign labor to fill jobs that Americans can and should be doing. Veterans are walking out of the military every single day who operated satellite communications, managed classified networks, and maintain weapons platforms. Experiences and qualifications that most engineers in the private sector will never see. These men and women understand the chain of command. They perform under pressure. They have already proven they can master complex system when the stakes are life and death. real world consequences.
▶ 1:00:43What they lack is a clear pathway from the uniform to the civilian tech workforce. And my amendment in the nature of a substitute expands the vette program to include emerging technologies like AI and semiconductor manufacturing, which is bringing billions of dollars of investment into our country and especially my district. Now, it also directs the VA to work with private sector employers and educational institutions to identify the career fields of the future and connect veterans with the training they need.
▶ 1:01:11And it ensures that information is prominently displayed on the VA website and promoted through transition assistance program. So, every separating service member knows these opportunities exist before they enter civilian life. This is not a handout, it's a hand up. Our veterans earned these benefits the hard way and we're not asking for much. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my ANS and oppose any duplicative amendment offered by Democrat colleagues.
▶ 1:01:38My bill improves Vette and the other changes and reforms being proposed today should be pursued in a more appropriate vehicle. And I would gladly join my colleagues on the other side working together on addressing this separately and apart from my bill today. Now, let's give the veteran the training. Let's give the veteran the shot they earned. And I urge my colleagues to support my amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you. And I yield back. The gentleman yields back. Do any members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of substitute to HR7103?
▶ 1:02:06The chair now recognizes ranking member Pepis for his comments.
▶ 1:02:09Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Much like the previous bill, we heard from stakeholders in our January ledge hearing about the ways this bill can be improved. Uh and so I have concerns that the bill asked VA to to identify emerging industries and determine future employment outlooks, something that it doesn't have expertise in. And I worry that we're setting VA and this program up for failure. I also worry that the legislation tries to push these yet to be set up and unproven programs right into TAP.
▶ 1:02:31So I'm thinking if these programs are as good as we're being told, they will naturally rise to the top to be highlighted as part of that time that's already set aside for Vette in TAP, we can let the program outcomes speak for themselves. I'll be offering amendments later, but I hope that we can work together uh to find a bipartisan way to make needed improvements to this bill. And I yield back.
▶ 1:02:50Do any other members wish to comment on this amendment in the nature of a I now recognize uh sorry you do not have an amendment.
▶ 1:03:00I do.
▶ 1:03:00I now recognize uh Representative Papus to offer an amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 7103.
▶ 1:03:09Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the
▶ 1:03:11The clerk shall report the amendment.
▶ 1:03:13Papus amendment number one. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
▶ 1:03:16I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection. So ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 1:03:24Thanks, Mr. Chairman. This amendment would add the text of M Mr. Wenshaw's recently introduced bill HR7643 to I appreciate uh that Mr. Wenshaw is taking an interest in veterans issues and working to improve the vette program. His bill will will require that VA implement a priority recommendation from the GAO that the Secretary of VA develop an employment rate calculation consistent with standard approaches used by government or industry entities.
▶ 1:03:49It also ensures that bad actors aren't allowed to artificially inflate these employment success numbers by temporarily hiring their own graduates when they can't find employment elsewhere as we saw under the original Vette program. In response to the GAO report, VA stated that they will assign a data analyst to conduct the employment data collection once the permanent Vette program is implemented. VA's own statement should refute any consu concerns that this amendment will slow implementation of the Vette program. This amendment will just require that VA does what they said they will do and that the math they use is in line with best practices.
▶ 1:04:20We all want an efficient VA to keep bad actors away from veterans benefits and this amendment will help us do that. So I thank Mr. Walkenshaw for his work and I urge its adoption. I yield back.
▶ 1:04:29The gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. Going to leave aside the timeliness, but this amendment would add additional VA reporting requirements to VA's Vette program that is currently in the process of implementation. We look forward to working with the administration of the minority to push for the implementation of Vette program in Dole. But until Vette 2.0 has been implemented, I do not see the need for additional reporting requirements at this time. And this is kind of what happens with government. We we keep moving goalposts and ask for more reports and all these things.
▶ 1:04:58And we just really got to get something going. And uh I think that this is a virtuous thing to do for our veterans. I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Uh do any members wish to comment on the amendment? You good? Okay. Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the papus amendment, ranking member papus amendment to the nature in the nature of a substitute to HR 7103. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:05:25All all oppose say no. No. Uh in the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 1:05:33Mr. Chairman, I have another amendment at the desk.
▶ 1:05:36The clerk shall re Mr. I now recognize, excuse me, the the previous amendment is laid upon the table.
▶ 1:05:44I now recognize Mr. Papis to offer amend number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR7103.
▶ 1:05:51Okay. I have an amendment at the desk. Mr. Chairman,
▶ 1:05:53the clerk shall report the amendment.
▶ 1:05:55Papis amendment number two. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
▶ 1:05:59I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment it to be dispensed with. Without objection. So ordered. The gentleman is now recognized for five minutes to explain the
▶ 1:06:07Thanks, Mr. Chairman. This amendment addresses operational issues with the bill as well as other concerns. Operationally, it changes responsibility for determining which industries are emerging with high employment and growth potential from VA to the Department of Labor vets as VA does not have the capability or expertise and do. It also removes the requirement that VA include the program created by this bill in the transition assistance program. uh vette program as a whole is already in the tap curriculum and veterans will gain exposure to these programs during that time.
▶ 1:06:38TAP is already so time constrained that dup um duplicating content of the programs will hurt service members transition process. Furthermore, the amendment adds labor unions, veteran service organizations and consumer protection groups to the critical stakeholder list. I think these groups are important voices and should have a seat at the table as we need someone looking out for the best interests of the veteran, not just the industry. Lastly, the amendment would remove references to specific industries in the legislative text. I don't think it's appropriate for Congress to be picking specific winners and losers.
▶ 1:07:06I agree that the areas listed are exciting avenues for veteran employment right now, but we don't know what the landscape will look like in 6 months, a year, 5 years, or even 10 years down the road. We can give guidance to VA on implementation through report language, but specific industries shouldn't be codified into law. I think these are pretty non-controversial improvements. I urge my colleagues to support them, and I yield back. I now recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. This amendment would remove VA's collaboration with stakeholders and move it under the Department of Labor.
▶ 1:07:34This goes against the committee's reauthorization efforts and collaboration with VA would like to see in the emerging technology space. Additionally, the members have had no time to properly review this text and consider the consequences of supporting it. As we mentioned earlier, I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Do any other members wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the papus amendment number two, a ranking member of papus uh number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR7103.
▶ 1:08:04All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:08:06All oppose say no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. The motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in the nature of substitute to HR7103? Hearing none, we'll now move to consider to the consideration of the next bill. Oh, sorry.
▶ 1:08:40Okay. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 7103. All those in favor say I. All those say all all oppose say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes haven't and the amendment in the nature of substitute is agreed to. I now recognize Mr. Barrett for a motion.
▶ 1:09:08Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the committee forward HR 7103 as amended favorably to the full committee. The question on favorably forwarding the bill HR7103 as amended to the to the full committee. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and HR 7103 as amended is forwarded favorably to the full committee.
▶ 1:09:35Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I now call up HR 7141, the Affordable Housing Guarantee Act. The clerk shall report the bill.
▶ 1:09:44HR 7141 to amend title 38.
▶ 1:09:47The text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. I ask that the reading of the bill be suspended to be dispensed with and to be open to amendment at this point. Hearing no objection. So ordered. I recognize myself for a motion to say for a moment to say that this bill would increase the VA home loan guarantee from 25 to 50% for disabled veterans. And this bill would make housing more affordable for veterans and provide a portion of the parody to FHA's 100% guarantee. And that's just the right thing to do.
▶ 1:10:17Period. I I don't know who could possibly object to this. Do do any members wish to speak on the bill? The chair now recognizes ranking member Papus for his comments.
▶ 1:10:27Well, thank you. I'll keep my remarks brief because I got an amendment that I'm going to be offering. But as written, um this is basically a $2 billion handout to the mortgage industry. Purpose of of VA home loan guarantee is to entice lenders into lending to veterans. There are no shortage of lenders willing to lend to veterans right now. So what do we get by doubling the guarantee? Aside from that, my greatest concern is that there's no requirement that they pass the savings they'd acrue on to veterans under this bill.
▶ 1:10:53This bill, as written, would simply socialize the mortgage company's risk without requiring any of them to ensure VA home loans go to the veterans who need them the most. So, that doesn't seem right to me. Uh, and I yield back.
▶ 1:11:04The gentleman yields back. Do any members wish to offer an amendment?
▶ 1:11:09I now recognize Representative, excuse me, ranking member Papus to offer an amendment to HR 7141.
▶ 1:11:14Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the
▶ 1:11:16The clerk shall report the amendment.
▶ 1:11:18Amendment to HR 7141 offered by Mr. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 1:11:29Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If we're going to increase the VA home loan guarantee and pump $2 billion into the mortgage industry, the mortgage industry should better provide should provide better terms for veterans or open up home loans to veterans who haven't been able to access home ownership before. So, this amendment would provide the increased guarantee from Representative Miller Meek's bill to lenders providing loans to three categories. First, disabled veterans with credit scores below 620, like our young veterans just getting out of the military and establishing their credit.
▶ 1:11:57Second, disabled veterans with a high debt to income ratio, like our veterans on a fixed income. And third, disabled veterans without a credit score, like those transitioning out of incarceration or homelessness. So, this amendment would open up the VA home loan program to more veterans, ensure that taxpayer money isn't just going to line the pockets of uh mortgage executives. And in closing, I'll note uh that both the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the VA urged changes to the underlying bill back in our January hearing. So I urge colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 1:12:25The gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself to speak on the amendment. Um, this amendment was received at 1,900 last night and would only grant the increased home loan guarantee to lenders who provide a loan to disabled veterans with a credit score below 620 with a high debt to income ratio or without a credit score. Now, I'm committed to, and we often forget this word, I'm committed to making the VA home loan guarantee program, because it is not a loan from the VA.
▶ 1:12:54It guarantees a loan from a private lender more affordable for veterans to look forward to working with a minority and seeking specific changes in advance to move this bill forward because uh home ownership is part of the American dream. It just simply is. So we want to get this done. We just got to get it done right. Um so I oppose all excuse me I urge all members to oppose.
▶ 1:13:15Do any other members wish to comment on the Uh seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the to the ranking member to ranking member Papus's amendment to HR 7141. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:13:28All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, we will now move to consider the next bill. There's a motion to favor No.
▶ 1:13:57Hearing none. I now recognize Representative Barrett for a motion.
▶ 1:14:00Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the subcommittee favor favorably report favorably forward. Sorry, I'm having a hard time myself. HR 7141 to the full
▶ 1:14:10There's a motion to favorably forward the bill to the full committee. All those in favor say I. All oppose say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The bill HR7141 is favorably forwarded to the full committee and the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I now call up HR1803, the Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act of Act of 2025. The clerk shall report the bill.
▶ 1:14:37Amendment HR803 offered by
▶ 1:14:41The text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. I ask the reading of the bill be dispensed with and it be open to amendment at any point. Hear hearing no objection. So ordered. I recognize myself for a moment to say that this bill would allow VA home loans to be used for housing cooperatives. Uh okay. Like I said, we want veterans to have access to home ownership. Do any me do any members wish to offer an amendment?
▶ 1:15:05Yes, sir.
▶ 1:15:06And I recognize ranking member Papus to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1803.
▶ 1:15:12Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I have an amendment at the desk.
▶ 1:15:15The clerk shall
▶ 1:15:16The clerk shall report the amendment.
▶ 1:15:18Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1803.
▶ 1:15:21I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, bless you. So ordered. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment.
▶ 1:15:30Thank you, Mr. Chairman. These changes are non-controversial, mostly technical in nature to ensure that the underlying bill will function properly. The amendment adds clarifying language on how the VA should handle defaults for the VA home loans for co-ops. It also adds language to ensuring similar levels of borrower relief for veterans and co-ops as compared to other VA home loan users in the event the co-op becomes insolvent. I understand that the updated language was just received last night, but as we voted uh to move other bills forward this afternoon, that will similarly have to be reviewed and adjusted as they move to full committee.
▶ 1:16:00I ask that the majority extend the same courtesy to this bill and this amendment. I urge adoption of the amendment and forwarding the underlying bill to the full committee and I yield
▶ 1:16:08The gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself to speak on the amendment. Uh I'm opposed to this amendment as written which is a complete substitute of the text and was only submitted to the committee last night after 1700. As the gentleman knows, amendments in the nature of a substitute are complete replacements of the text of the bill. As such, these amendments are typically submitted earlier so that we can c they can be circulated to all members of the subcommittee for review and members can draft any amendments they might have to correct the text.
▶ 1:16:34members have had no time to properly review this text and consider the consequences of supporting it. And listen, I I want Chris, I want to get this done. And opening up the V home loans to co-ops has got to get done, but we have to nail the text because a co-op in New York does not necessarily mean a co-op in the state of Wisconsin or New Hampshire for your case, sir. Uh so we have to get this done. And again, it is my intent.
▶ 1:16:59I know it is your intent to make sure that every single person that has served this nation in uniform has the ability to uh have access to home ownership through the VA home uh guarantee program, but I just don't think this this is is ready for prime time. Um I urge all members to join me in opposing this amendment. Do any other members wish to comment on the Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to ranking member Paps's amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1803. All those in favor say I. All oppose say no.
▶ 1:17:28In the opinion of the chair, the notice have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none. Hearing none, we'll now move to consider the bill. I now recognize ranking me ranking member. I now recognize representative Ciscomani from the great state of Arizona for a motion. Chairman, thank you. much more respected honorable chairman.
▶ 1:17:58Uh I move that subcommittee favorably forward HR1803 to full committee.
▶ 1:18:03There is a motion to favorably forward the bill to the full committee. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:18:08All oppose say no. In the opinion the chairs the I in the opinion of the chair the eyes have it. The bill HR1803 is favorably forwarded to the full committee and the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I now call upon HR 982, the Warriors to Workforce Act. The clerk shall report the bill.
▶ 1:18:28HR 982 to amend.
▶ 1:18:30Circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. I ask the reading of the bill be dispensed with and it be open to amendment at any point. Hearing no objection. So ordered. I recognize myself in support of this bill. Uh this is my bill and it's going to increase the amount of educational assistance paid during a six to 12 months apprenticeship or on the job training from 80 to 90%. Uh we need the trades period. So we need more plumbers, pipe fitters, welders, uh carpenters.
▶ 1:18:56We need we need more people to be able to utilize these apprentichip programs and on the on the job training and this is an additional amount of money that's going to help that happen. Do any members wish to speak on this bill? Do any members have uh do any members wish to offer an I now recognize ranking member Papus to offer an amendment to HR820.
▶ 1:19:21Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have another amendment at the desk.
▶ 1:19:24The clerk shall report the amendment.
▶ 1:19:25Amendment to HR 982 offered by Mr.
▶ 1:19:29I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentleman is now recognized for 5 minutes to explain the amendment.
▶ 1:19:37Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I support the underlying bill, but I don't think it goes far enough. We need to take a full look at how the how the entirety of apprenticeships and OJT programs are run between VA DO vets and other various employment programs for veterans. This bill feels like we're working on the periphery margins of the core issues with these programs. I also understand the view held by some veterans and apprenticeships that if they're using their GI bill, they should be getting the full housing allowance.
▶ 1:20:02They're right that reducing the housing allowance um appren [snorts] as apprenticeships advance does disincentivize participation and push them to attend traditional higher education. Money talks and only receiving 80 60 or even as low as 20% of the housing allowance as your peers will inevitably impact their thinking about their career path.
▶ 1:20:20Intertwined with that are the concerns raised by Paralyzed Veterans of America and others at the January ledge hearing that increasing the house housing allowance percentage for only months 7 through 12 will leave a benefits cliff at month 13, the point when most veterans already drop out of their GI Bill apprenticeship programs. So to address that, I'm proposing that we adjust all the step down rates at once by increasing the housing allowance percentage for months 13 through 18 to 80% from the current 60%.
▶ 1:20:48increasing months 19 through 20 from um uh 70% uh up to 70% from the current 40 and increasing months 24 and beyond to 60% from the current 20. I'm open to doing a full increase across the board, but this amendment keeps with the current structure of the law and addresses the concerns that were raised specifically by PVA. So, I urge adoption of this amendment and forwarding the bill to the full committee and I yield back.
▶ 1:21:11The ranking member yields back. I now recognize myself to speak on the amendment. Um, this amendment would increase the the ex and excuse me and expand the months for educational assistance paid for from 13 to 24 months. And honest to goodness, I don't know how we're going to pay for this. And that is a real issue. Uh, additionally, and more importantly, we don't have any actual data confirming whether or not this is needed.
▶ 1:21:34And so, we we have got to act on data and we have to make sure we can pay for stuff so that we have room to make sure that our our veterans have the educations that they need. And again, you know, I I want you don't know this. I when I joined the Navy, I was part of the SEMA apprentichip program. So, I'm all about this stuff. I think it's great. Um, but uh because we don't have the actual data, I don't know if this is really needed. And I really honest to goodness have no idea how the heck we're going to pay for this, which just means it would die anywhere.
▶ 1:22:02Um, I I want to make I want to urge my all members, excuse me, to oppose this amendment. Do any other members wish to comment on the Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to ranking member Paps's amendment to HR 982. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:22:20All All oppose say no. In the opinion of the chairs, the no have the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Are there any further amendments? Hearing none, we will now move we'll now move to excuse me. I now recognize ranking Gosh. Hey, you know what? Apparently, you're you're a ranking member now. I now recognize represent. [laughter]
▶ 1:22:49No, I hope not. Geez, what did I just say? I now recognize Representative Sisammani from the great state of
▶ 1:22:55Do not what
▶ 1:22:56for a motion,
▶ 1:22:56Mr. Chairman. But, Mr. Chairman, I enthusiastically move to uh that the subcommittee favorably forward HR 982 to the full committee. All those in favor all those in favor say I.
▶ 1:23:09All oppose say no. In the opinion of the chair the eyes have it. The bill HR 982 is favorably forwarded to the full committee and the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. Um I also want to make sure that we understand that I am that all of these bills on the agenda today have been favorably forwarded to the full committee. I ask unanimous consent that the committee staff be authorized to make technical, clerical, and conforming changes to the bills favorably forward today.
▶ 1:23:40Hearing no objection. So ordered. I thank the members. Chris, thank you so much uh for their attendance today and the subcommittee is now adjourned.