Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act
Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act
Plain Language Summary
# HR 6861: Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act **What the bill would do:** This bill would move four veteran employment and support programs from the Department of Labor to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These programs include job counseling and placement services for veterans, federal hiring assistance for veterans, protections for military service members' employment rights, and programs helping homeless veterans return to work. The bill would also create a new office within the VA called the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition to oversee these consolidated programs. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects veterans, service members, and homeless veterans seeking employment services and job training.
It also affects both the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which would need to coordinate the transfer of staff, resources, and ongoing cases. **Key provisions and status:** The bill requires the VA to include funding for these programs in its budget starting in fiscal year 2028. Any pending cases, lawsuits, or benefit applications wouldn't be disrupted by the transfer. The bill is currently in committee and has not been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance ActThis bill transfers specified programs from the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and establishes the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition to implement such programs.Specifically, the bill transfers to the VA (1) job counseling, training, and placement services for veterans, (2) federal government employment services for veterans, (3) administration of employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services, and (4) homeless veterans reintegration programs. The VA must include funding requests for such programs in its budget request for FY2028 and each subsequent year.The transfer of such programs does not affect any suits, proceedings or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of the enactment of this bill.The Office of Management and Budget is authorized to determine the functions (e.g., duties) that are transferred under this bill, and may make additional incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, liabilities, grants, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances as may be necessary to implement this bill.The bill also (1) modifies state responsibilities regarding the employment of full or part-time veterans’ employment specialists (currently known as veteran employment representatives), and (2) expands the purpose and responsibilities of such specialists.The VA and Labor must jointly conduct a study and report on the implementation of the transfer of programs and functions and amendments made by this bill.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.