Markup on Pending Legislation

House Veterans Affairs Committee, Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

April 9, 2025 (recording here)

BILLS CONSIDERED IN MARKUP

• H.R. 913, Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans Act of 2025 (Rep. Obernolte)

• H.R. 980, Modernizing the Veterans On-Campus Experience Act of 2025 (Rep. Van Orden)

• H.R. 1364, ASSIST Act of 2025 (Rep. Barrett)

• H.R. 1458, VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 (Rep. Ciscomani)

• H.R. 1527, Reforming Education for Veterans Act (Rep. James)

• H.R. 1793, Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025 (Rep. Hamadeh)

• H.R. 1815, VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (Rep. Van Orden)

• H.R. 1872, Fairness in Veterans’ Education Act (Rep. Jackson)

• H.R. 1960, Simplifying Veterans Assistance Act of 2025 (Rep. Thompson)

• H.R. 1423, Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 (Rep. Levin)

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE

• Chairman Derrick Van Orden said that the Subcommittee would consider 10 bills aimed at efforts like modernizing the GI Bill, expanding resources for disabled veterans, and improving the VA Home Loan Program. He highlighted his own legislation aimed at assisting veterans behind on mortgage payments and mentioned the fiscal responsibility of his partial claims proposal, which aligned the VA with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Chairman also briefly spoke on his bill to improve the veterans' experience on college campuses by easing hiring requirements for VetSuccess On Campus (VSOC) counselors.

• Ranking Member Chris Pappas shared his appreciation for the bipartisan discussions that had taken place but criticized the VA’s unilateral decision to end the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program just six days prior. He stated that the termination of VASP would have devastating consequences for veterans and their families at risk of foreclosure. He claimed that ending the program without a viable alternative was harmful and made it harder to pass new solutions due to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scoring rules. He supported the Chairman’s efforts to create a partial claims program but reiterated the urgency of reinstating VASP in the interim. He also expressed support for the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act (H.R. 1423), which he described as long overdue.

• Chairman Van Orden echoed the Ranking Member’s comments on H.R. 1423, stating that reservists faced the same dangers as active-duty troops and noting their growing role in combat operations.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

• The Subcommittee considered the following bills en bloc: the Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans Act of 2025 (H.R. 913), the Modernizing the Veterans On-Campus Experience Act of 2025 (H.R. 980), and H.R. 1423.

• The Chairman spoke in support of H.R. 980, reiterating that it would improve hiring for VSOC positions by reducing the degree requirement from a master’s to a bachelor’s. He underscored the importance of equal treatment for all service members across military branches.

• Ranking Member Pappas supported the bills in the en bloc, once again spotlighting H.R. 1423.

• Bills included in the en bloc were favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

• The Subcommittee moved to consider amendments in the nature of a substitute (ANS) for four bills: the ASSIST Act of 2025 (H.R. 1364), the Reforming Education for Veterans Act (H.R. 1527), the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Transparency Act of 2025 (H.R. 1793), and the Fairness in Veterans’ Education Act (H.R. 1872).

• Rep. Abe Hamadeh advocated for his amendment to H.R. 1793, which addressed transparency issues in the VR&E program. He described unacceptably long wait times for counseling services and explained that his amendment would create hotlines, require published contact information, and mandate prompt responses to extension requests.

• Ranking Member Pappas supported all of the bills in the en bloc, urging his colleagues to advance the measures.

• Rep. Tom Barrett spoke on H.R. 1364, which aimed to give the VA more flexibility in funding medically necessary vehicle adaptations for disabled veterans. He criticized outdated equipment lists and called for expanded eligibility for new technologies such as ramp systems and mobility lifts.

• All four bills as amended in the en bloc were favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

• Chairman Van Orden brought up the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 (H.R. 1458). He said that it would expand the GI Bill to include in-person and hybrid skilled trade programs. He underscored the need to support veterans who pursue non-traditional educational paths while managing work or family responsibilities.

• Rep. Juan Ciscomani spoke in support of his bill, describing it as a bipartisan measure to support veterans entering skilled trades. He stated that the legislation would improve access to education while addressing workforce shortages in technical fields.

• Ranking Member Pappas expressed conditional support for H.R. 1458 but raised concerns about the Department of Education’s reduced oversight role. He warned that without proper oversight, the bill could leave veterans vulnerable to predatory institutions.

• The Subcommittee voted to favorably forward the H.R. 1458 to the full Committee.

• The Chairman discussed the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (H.R. 1815) and his ANS to the bill. He criticized the VASP program for bypassing congressional authority and spending billions inefficiently. He argued that his partial claims proposal was fiscally responsible and essential to preserving the VA Home Loan Program.

• Ranking Member Pappas offered an amendment to the ANS, seeking to immediately reinstate the VASP program. He argued that the abrupt end to VASP endangered veterans and that it should remain in place until a partial claims alternative was law. Upon request, the vote on the amendment was recorded, and it was rejected 3-5 along party lines.

• Ranking Member Pappas then offered a second amendment to the ANS. He described it as a compromise, proposing to temporarily reinstate VASP with a sunset clause triggered by the passage of a partial claims program. This amendment was also rejected 3-5 along party lines.

• The Subcommittee adopted the Chairman’s ANS and favorably forwarded H.R. 1815 as amended to the full Committee.

• Chairman Van Orden spoke on the Simplifying Veterans Assistance Act of 2025 (H.R. 1960). He said the bill aimed to improve guidance for homeless providers applying for VA grants. He claimed that smaller and rural organizations often lacked support and were disadvantaged in the current system.

• Ranking Member Pappas supported the bill, stressing the importance of building on prior efforts to combat veteran homelessness. However, he advocated for broader legislative action beyond technical fixes.

• The Ranking Member then introduced an amendment from Rep. Delia Ramirez, who was absent from the markup. Her amendment sought to correct an error in the Elizabeth Dole Act that had prevented increased reimbursement to homeless service providers. The measure was rejected by a vote of 3-5 along party lines.

• The Subcommittee favorably forwarded H.R. 1960 to the full Committee.

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