Veterans’ Affairs Committee Clears Bills for House Floor Consideration

The VetSuccess Enhancement Act (H.R. 844) increases disabled veterans’ access to critical vocational and educational services by extending the eligibility period for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation & Education (VR&E) VetSuccess program.

 

Currently, disabled veterans are eligible for the VetSuccess program for up to 12 years after their date of separation from active military service, or the date they were first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating. The VetSuccess Enhancement Act would extend this eligibility period to 17 years, offering as many as 220,000 more veterans access to these important services.

 

The Work-Study for Student Veterans Act (H.R. 1453) extends the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Student Work-Study Allowance Program, which is set to expire on June 30th. Through this program, qualifying veteran students in college degree programs or vocational or professional programs are paid to work on campus, at VA facilities, or at other veteran-centered organizations to assist transitioning veterans and help them navigate the complex VA system.

  

The VetSuccess Enhancement Act and the Work-Study for Student Veterans Act will now move to the House floor for consideration as a part of the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act of 2013 (H.R.357).

 

After the full committee markup, Rep. Takano, the Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee said, “Today’s markup continues the Veterans’ Affairs committee’s bipartisan approach to serving our heroes. I look forward to the House voting on these bills and hope the Senate will commit to our veterans and pass these pieces of legislation so they may receive President Obama’s signature. There is much more work to be done, but today’s markup is a positive first step.