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“Hearing on Pending Legislation”

House Veterans Affairs Committee, Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Hearing

June 11, 2025 (recording here)

HEARING INFORMATION

Witnesses & Written Testimony (linked) (Panel One):

• Mr. Thomas Alphonso: Assistant Director of Policy & Implementation, Education Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration

• Dr. Liz Clark: Acting Director, Department of Defense, Defense Support Services Center

• Mr. Nick Pamperin: Executive Director, Veterans Readiness & Employment, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration

Witnesses & Written Testimony (linked) (Panel Two):

• Ms. Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann: Director, Government and Legislative Affairs, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

• Mr. Andrew Petrie: Senior Policy Analyst, Veterans Education and Employment Division, The American Legion

• Mr. Matthew Schwartzman: Director, Legislation and Military Policy, Reserve Organization of America

• Mr. Blaze Smith: Director, Veterans Education and Transition Services Center, The University of Arizona

Keywords mentioned:

• National Guard benefits, active duty orders, Transition Assistance Program (TAP), veteran education, online programs, student veterans, veteran homelessness, housing resources, mental health programs, accountability, oversight

IN THEIR WORDS

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE

• Chairman Derrick Van Orden stated that the Subcommittee would consider 17 legislative proposals, many of which aim to improve VA education benefits, accessibility, and the VA Home Loan Program. He highlighted three of his own bills: one to expand communication options for the Solid Start Program (H.R. 3386), one to reduce the VA home loan refinancing fee (H.R. 3384), and one to improve the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) (H.R. 3387). The Chairman described TAP as essential to retention and recruitment, underscoring the importance of understanding and replicating best practices across service branches.

• Ranking Member Chris Pappas also spotlighted several bipartisan bills aimed at improving veterans’ education and job training. He promoted his own bill, the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act (H.R. 2954), which would streamline VA approval for interstate truck driving apprenticeship programs. He also supported bills to increase the GI Bill’s book stipend (H.R. 1965), expand the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship (H.R. 2034), and equalize educational benefits for Gold Star families (H.R. 2720). Ranking Member Pappas then advocated for Rep. Maxine Dexter’s Every Veteran Housed Act, which he said would expand access to housing services and help maintain progress in ending veteran homelessness.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL ONE)

• Dr. Liz Clark testified on the importance of TAP, calling it a foundational support system for service members moving to civilian life. She noted that TAP now serves roughly 200,000 members annually across more than 200 locations, offering more individualized and comprehensive services than ever before. Dr. Clark spoke about TAP’s flexibility and its success as an interagency program that adapts to each service member’s needs. She expressed her personal commitment, grounded in her own military experience and work in suicide prevention, to continually strengthening TAP and the transition process.

• Mr. Nick Pamperin claimed that the VA supported many of the proposed bills and highlighted several key pieces of legislation. He endorsed the Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act (H.R. 3579), which would limit employment assistance to 180 days for greater efficiency, and expressed conditional support for the Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember’s Experience Act (H.R. 3387), mentioning concerns about audits and spouse counseling logistics. Mr. Pamperin said that the VA opposed H.R. 3384 due to cost, complexity, and unclear benefits, and the department also opposed H.R. 2720 due to major program compatibility issues. He claimed that the VA shared the goal of reducing homelessness but had serious concerns with the Every Veteran Housed Act as written and welcomed further discussion to align on feasible solutions.

• Ranking Member Pappas asked how the VA determines eligibility and benefit amounts under Chapter 33 when benefits are transferred to a dependent. Mr. Thomas Alphonso responded that eligibility is determined by the Department of Defense (DOD), which requires the service member to meet time-in-service requirements and commit to four additional years before transferring benefits. Ranking Member Pappas followed up, noting the VA’s concerns with different eligibility rules, and asked if the issues could be resolved. Mr. Alphonso confirmed that the VA supported the GI Bill Parity Act’s intent but stated that the current version lacked the necessary implementation details.

• The Ranking Member then asked what percentage of GI Bill funding goes to online programs and how many beneficiaries are enrolled full-time. Mr. Alphonso said that he would take both questions for the record.

• Ranking Member Pappas asked how the VA determines whether to issue full or half housing stipends, and Mr. Alphonso explained that this is based on school certifications of student enrollment status (online-only vs. in-residence). The Ranking Member expressed concern about ensuring quality in online programs and asked about oversight. Mr. Pamperin replied that State Approving Agencies (SAAs) are the primary gatekeepers of quality, operating under statutory standards and state-level criteria.

• The Ranking Member also asked whether the VA agreed with the premise behind the Every Veteran Housed Act, that some homeless veterans are currently ineligible for services. Mr. Pamperin acknowledged that some homeless veterans do not receive VA homeless benefits and agreed with the bill’s intent, but he cautioned that consolidating definitions would require careful coordination with other agencies. When asked if this was a resource issue, Mr. Pamperin clarified that he was not a homeless benefits expert and would take the question for the record.

• Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds discussed her bill, the Heroes Owning and Materializing Equity (HOME) Act (H.R. 3720), and stressed the importance of supporting veterans’ homeownership through financial counseling and better housing accessibility. She reported a rise in homelessness among veterans in the Northern Mariana Islands and pointed out that financial literacy is essential to preventing foreclosure. She explained that the bill would authorize VA partnerships with nonprofits and create a database of adapted homes for disabled veterans.

• Rep. King-Hinds then asked Dr. Clark about post-TAP follow-up and continuity of care. Dr. Clark responded that TAP has evolved since FY19 and now includes individualized planning and warm handoffs for at-risk service members. She added that the Department of Labor and the VA follow up with veterans, and services remain available for one year post-separation. She described TAP’s adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement.

• Rep. Delia Ramirez reviewed the needs of her district’s veterans and supported improvements to TAP, including earlier access, trauma-informed counseling, and culturally competent support. She raised concerns about the proposed two-tiered system in Chairman Van Orden’s bill, believing that all veterans should receive equitable counseling regardless of employment status.

• Rep. Ramirez asked Dr. Clark whether the DOD supports giving service members more time for TAP and what structural reforms are needed for more equitable and trauma-informed programming. Dr. Clark replied that TAP is already available online 24/7 and that the 365-day pre-separation period (730 days for retirees) strikes a balance with operational readiness. She affirmed the DOD’s commitment to an individualized, best-in-class TAP and underlined that reforms are ongoing to ensure responsiveness to all veterans, including women, LGBTQ+, and veterans of color.

• Rep. Abe Hamadeh voiced support for H.R. 2034, which he co-led with Rep. Nikki Budzinski. He explained that the bill would allow veterans to apply for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship earlier, after 45 credit hours instead of 60, and without fully exhausting their GI Bill benefits. Rep. Hamadeh illustrated the strong demand for STEM graduates in Arizona and pointed out the bill’s potential to boost national security and economic competitiveness.

• Rep. Tim Kennedy discussed his bill, H.R. 2720, saying that current law unfairly disadvantages survivors who did not have GI Bill benefits officially transferred before a service member’s death. He noted the disparity in financial support between Chapter 35 (DEA) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which leaves grieving families underfunded. Rep. Kennedy argued that the bill would ensure equal benefits for all Gold Star families and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.

• Rep. Tom Barrett asked Mr. Pamperin about the Patriots Over Politics Act (H.R. 3619), which would restore GI Bill transferability for service members separated due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Mr. Pamperin deferred to the DOD on the timeline needed to implement a 90-day enrollment window and explained that the transfer process is handled through a DOD-managed system.

• Rep. Barrett then asked Dr. Clark whether the DOD had taken a position on the bill and whether the department had data on affected service members who began transfer processes but were discharged before completion. Dr. Clark said that the issue was important but outside her portfolio, and she promised to take the questions for the record.

• Rep. Gabe Vasquez said that New Mexico has both one of the nation’s highest military service rates and some of its greatest financial challenges, making robust veteran education benefits essential. He explained that the GI Bill’s annual $1,000 book‑and‑supplies stipend—unchanged since 2008—had lost significant value to inflation and would equal roughly $1,485 in 2025 dollars. Rep. Vasquez urged passage of his bipartisan bill, H.R. 1965, which would raise the stipend to $1,400 so veterans can afford necessary materials without undue financial burden.

• Rep. Brian Mast asked the witnesses whether they had encountered cases of squatters occupying service members’ homes during deployments and whether such situations posed a threat to military readiness. Mr. Pamperin replied that the VA had no equity in active‑duty housing matters and that he knew of no such cases. Dr. Clark acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, replying that the DOD would take the question for the record and offering no opinion on readiness impacts.

• Chairman Van Orden questioned Mr. Pamperin on several VA benefits topics. He first asked for suggested amendments to expand monthly housing allowances for veterans taking accredited online summer courses, but Mr. Pamperin said he could not provide an immediate answer. The Chairman then asked whether the VA supported imposing an eight‑year limit on participation in the Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) program. Mr. Pamperin said that the department supported the proposed limit and was committed to working with the Committee on oversight.

• Chairman Van Orden pressed further, asking if the GI Bill book stipend should increase and why the VA cited “costly and time‑consuming system changes” in opposing H.R. 3384. Mr. Pamperin agreed that the stipend should rise and reiterated that fee‑rate changes required extensive system updates for lenders and VA. Finally, the Chairman demanded an explanation for veterans who had appeared to remain in VR&E for more than 30 years. Mr. Pamperin said that those cases involved multiple periods of interruption rather than continuous benefits and promised to deliver detailed records before the July legislative hearing.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL TWO)

• Mr. Andrew Petrie began by saying that his own use of VA education, home loan, and TAP benefits informed the American Legion’s views on the proposed bills. He endorsed the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act (H.R. 3753) and H.R. 1965, noting that online learners now receive only half the national housing allowance and that the $1,000 book stipend has not kept pace with inflation. He supported the Every Veteran Housed Act to curb homelessness and H.R. 2791 to raise VA home‑loan entitlements when a service member must maintain two homes during a move. Mr. Petrie stated that financial stability and housing remain top Legion priorities and urged quick action on the bills.

• Mr. Blaze Smith recounted his transition from Navy Tomahawk operator to student and then director of the university’s veterans center, crediting VA education benefits and campus support for his success. He said that the University of Arizona now serves more than 6,000 military‑affiliated students—15 percent of enrollment—through a “one‑stop” model that covers benefits navigation, disability accommodations, mental health care, career readiness, and community building. Mr. Smith asserted that well‑structured benefits can transform veterans’ lives, while gaps in programs create hardship during an already complex transition. He welcomed legislation that strengthens GI Bill support and TAP, pledging to share insights drawn from daily work with student veterans.

• Mr. Matthew Schwartzman called H.R. 3387 the most consequential bill under review because it tailors TAP to reservists’ repeated transitions. He praised provisions for a Reserve‑component TAP track, spouse integration, repeat participation, and alignment with VA Solid Start, while advocating for stronger oversight of third‑party contractors. Mr. Schwartzman also backed H.R. 2720 and H.R. 1965 but warned that the Reserve Organization of America’s (ROA) highest priority remains passing the broader Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act. He stressed that reservists often perform critical duty statuses that still fail to earn full GI Bill benefits and asked the committee to rectify that inequity swiftly.

• Ms. Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann endorsed H.R. 2720, saying it would sunset Chapter 35 and move survivors to the more generous Fry Scholarship, thereby ending inequities based solely on the date of death. She supported increasing the GI Bill book stipend, provided the Fry Scholarship rises as well, and backed the Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act (H.R. 3031) if all DIC‑receiving spouses are included. Ms. Haycock-Lohmann, herself a Fry‑Scholarship beneficiary, argued that Chapter 35 is outdated, processed on antiquated COBOL systems, and burdens the VA. She opposed H.R. 3753, contending that a national‑average housing allowance would penalize veterans in rural or low‑cost areas and invite predatory schools.

• Rep. Hamadeh asked Mr. Smith why he supported H.R. 3753 and how the current policy penalized online learners. Mr. Smith replied that when he moved his business‑administration studies online his family’s income dropped because the housing stipend fell to 50 percent, forcing tight budgeting until a temporary COVID waiver restored the full allowance. He argued that living costs exist regardless of course modality.

• Rep. Hamadeh then asked how Mr. Smith would measure VR&E’s success. Mr. Smith suggested tracking job retention, veteran satisfaction, cost per outcome, and post‑graduation wage growth to see whether participants obtained the careers they sought.

• Rep. Hamadeh inquired about a potential book stipend increase to match inflation. Mr. Smith admitted that he was “not great with numbers” but said that the proposed $1,400 figure appeared to align with 2025 prices and would cover most textbook and supply costs for Arizona veterans.

• Rep. Ramirez questioned Mr. Schwartzman about the significance of capping National Guard and Reserve active‑duty orders at 179 days. Mr. Schwartzman explained that many benefits—including TAP eligibility and BAH—require at least 180 consecutive days, so the DOD sometimes issues 179‑day orders to save money, inadvertently denying reservists key benefits. He recommended switching TAP eligibility to 180 cumulative days to include drill and training time.

• Rep. Ramirez next asked how the University of Arizona ensures quality and community in its online programs. Mr. Smith said that the institution relies on active research, frequent surveys, small class sizes, and dedicated community‑building spaces to support online students. When Rep. Ramirez requested veteran enrollment data, Mr. Smith estimated that roughly 20 percent of Arizona’s online students were veterans and promised to provide exact figures later.

• Rep. Maxine Dexter asked Ms. Haycock-Lohmann what gaps in the homelessness system the Every Veteran Housed Act would close. Ms. Haycock-Lohmann said that homelessness and suicide were closely linked and that many veterans who die by suicide had previously lacked stable housing. She held that expanding eligibility would help reach those at greatest risk.

• Rep. Dexter asked Mr. Petrie whether the bill was necessary to house every veteran. Mr. Petrie said that the American Legion believed it would maximize access to transitional and permanent housing.

• Rep. Dexter then asked Mr. Schwartzman about National Guard and Reserve parity. Mr. Schwartzman replied that the bill’s broader veteran definition would finally include reservists who often miss out on VA programs, such as home‑loan eligibility, because they never receive a DD214.

• Chairman Van Orden asked Mr. Petrie what doubling the monthly housing allowance for online learners, from the current half‑rate to the full national average, would mean. Mr. Petrie answered that an extra $1,000 a month would be “game‑changing,” providing stability for veterans and their families and covering housing, supplies, and other living costs.

• The Chairman then challenged Ms. Haycock-Lohmann about TAPS accepting $500,000 in cash and $500,000 in advertising from TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. Ms. Haycock-Lohman acknowledged the funds, said they were unrestricted and used mainly for children’s grief programs, and asserted that TikTok had no access to survivor data. Chairman Van Orden countered that Congress had deemed TikTok a national security risk, claimed survivors’ data were compromised, and urged TAPS leadership to return the money.

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