[House Hearing, 119 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
LEGISLATIVE HEARING
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HEARING
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
__________
Serial No. 119-24
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available via http://govinfo.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
61-122 WASHINGTON : 2025
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COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
MIKE BOST, Illinois, Chairman
AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN, MARK TAKANO, California, Ranking
American Samoa, Vice-Chairwoman Member
JACK BERGMAN, Michigan JULIA BROWNLEY, California
NANCY MACE, South Carolina CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire
MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS, Iowa SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK,
GREGORY F. MURPHY, North Carolina Florida
DERRICK VAN ORDEN, Wisconsin MORGAN MCGARVEY, Kentucky
MORGAN LUTTRELL, Texas DELIA RAMIREZ, Illinois
JUAN CISCOMANI, Arizona NIKKI BUDZINSKI, Illinois
KEITH SELF, Texas TIMOTHY M. KENNEDY, New York
JEN KIGGANS, Virginia MAXINE DEXTER, Oregon
ABE HAMADEH, Arizona HERB CONAWAY, New Jersey
KIMBERLYN KING-HINDS, Northern KELLY MORRISON, Minnesota
Mariana Islands
TOM BARRETT, Michigan
Jon Clark, Staff Director
Matt Reel, Democratic Staff Director
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
DERRICK VAN ORDEN, Wisconsin, Chairman
JUAN CISCOMANI, Arizona CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire,
ABE HAMADEH, Arizona Ranking Member
KIMBERLYN KING-HINDS, Northern MORGAN MCGARVEY, Kentucky
Mariana Islands DELIA RAMIREZ, Illinois
TOM BARRETT, Michigan TIMOTHY M. KENNEDY, New York
Pursuant to clause 2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, public
hearing records of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs are also
published in electronic form. The printed hearing record remains the
official version. Because electronic submissions are used to prepare
both printed and electronic versions of the hearing record, the process
of converting between various electronic formats may introduce
unintentional errors or omissions. Such occurrences are inherent in the
current publication process and should diminish as the process is
further refined.
C O N T E N T S
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
Page
OPENING STATEMENTS
The Honorable Derrick Van Orden, Chairman........................ 1
The Honorable Chris Pappas, Ranking Member....................... 2
WITNESSES
Panel I
Dr. Liz Clark, Acting Director, Defense Support Services Center,
U.S. Department of Defense..................................... 4
Mr. Nick Pamperin, Executive Director, Veterans Readiness &
Employment, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs............................................ 5
Accompanied by:
Mr. Thomas Alphonso, Assistant Director of Policy &
Implementation Education Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Panel II
Mr. Andrew Petrie, Senior Policy Analyst, Veterans Education and
Employment Division, The American Legion....................... 21
Mr. Blaze Smith, Director, Veterans Education and Transition
Services Center, The University of Arizona..................... 22
Mr. Matthew Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military
Policy, Reserve Organization of America........................ 24
Ms. Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann, Director, Government and
Legislative Affairs, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.. 25
APPENDIX
Prepared Statements Of Witnesses
Dr. Liz Clark Prepared Statement................................. 37
Mr. Nick Pamperin Prepared Statement............................. 43
Mr. Andrew Petrie Prepared Statement............................. 64
Mr. Blaze Smith Prepared Statement............................... 83
Mr. Matthew Schwartzman Prepared Statement....................... 88
Ms. Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann Prepared Statement.................. 114
Statements For The Record
National Association of State Approving Agencies Prepared
Statement...................................................... 131
Veterans Education Success Prepared Statement.................... 133
Paralyzed Veterans of America Prepared Statement................. 143
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Prepared Statement. 146
New England Center and Home for Veterans Prepared Statement...... 149
Student Veterans of America Prepared Statement................... 151
LEGISLATIVE HEARING
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 9 a.m., in
room 360, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. Derrick Van Orden
(chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.
Present: Representatives Van Orden, Ciscomani, Hamadeh,
King-Hinds, Barrett, Pappas, McGarvey, Ramirez, and Kennedy.
Also present: Representatives Mast, and Vasquez.
OPENING STATEMENT OF DERRICK VAN ORDEN, CHAIRMAN
Mr. Van Orden. The subcommittee will come to order. Welcome
to the witnesses and subcommittee members to today's hearing.
As I have said many times, this subcommittee is a nonpartisan
committee; it is not a bipartisan committee. I am very thankful
for my Ranking Member, Mr. Pappas, for adhering to that.
We have 17 important legislative proposals to consider here
today. It is important to note that not all of these proposals
will move forward in the legislative process. A number of these
proposals seek to improve education programs, accessibility of
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and VA's home loan
program.
I specifically want to highlight three of my bills that are
on today's agenda. My first bill will expand communication
outreach methods within the Solid Start Program by allowing
digital communications so that the VA can increase the ways
they connect with veterans.
America's new generation of veterans, they oftentimes just
do not want to pick up the phone. We are going to get crazy and
allow them to use text messaging, but we are not going to get
rid of the other methods of communications that older
generations, such as myself, are we used to, which is a letter
in the mail. In other words, this is additive.
Another bill that I have today is the Refinancing Relief
for Veterans Act. This legislation will reduce the fee for
veterans who are using an interest rate reduction loan, or
IRRRL.
This bill would allow veterans an even less expensive way
to get a mortgage with a lower interest rate and so half the
refinancing fee associated with the VA home loans and making
easier for veterans to secure better rates. It is the duty of
this subcommittee to get money back in the veterans' pockets
when we can.
My final bill is the Enhancing the Transiting
Servicemember's Experience Act, or ETS Act. This bill would
make improvements to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
for servicemembers leaving the military. This legislation would
require data collection on the experience of transitioning
servicemembers. We need to have a better understanding of how
we are preparing our military members and their families for
civilian life.
Certain military branches are doing TAP better than others
and those doing it well are setting their members up for
success, and individual units in the different branches are
doing things better, so we are going to find the best
practices.
Servicemembers leaving the successful branches will show
the others the value of their military service. The Transition
Assistance Program is actually, I view it as a retention and a
recruitment tool so when the veterans know that we care about
them coming in, while they are in, and while they are leaving
and after they are in their service, that is going to help with
our recruitment and retention because they go home and they
tell their friends.
Additional bills we will consider would address
modernization improvements to the Veterans Readiness and
Employment (VR&E) program, VA home loan program, and the GI
Bill. I have reservations about some of these proposals on the
agenda today. The witnesses' testimony and questions from these
fellow members will hopefully address some of these issues so
we can make informed decisions and move forward with the
process.
We look forward to hearing from the members who are here
and introduce these proposals, as well as our witnesses on how
we can continue to improve the bills and better the lives of
our veterans.
I now yield to Ranking Member Pappas for as much time as he
would consume for his opening remarks.
OPENING STATEMENT OF CHRIS PAPPAS, RANKING MEMBER
Mr. Pappas. Thank you very much, Chairman Van Orden, for
holding this legislative hearing on a number of issues covered
by the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. On the agenda today
there are several bills that improve support for veterans'
education and job training, including my bipartisan bill, H.R.
2954 Veterans Transition to Trucking Act, which will expedite
the approval process for truck driving apprenticeship programs
that have multi-state locations.
Currently, interstate trucking companies must get approval
from every State they operate in for veterans to use their VA
education benefits for apprenticeship programs at that company.
This legislation will cut unnecessary red tape and allow
interstate commercial carriers to get one approval for all
their apprenticeship programs from VA, simplifying the
administration of these programs so that veterans can become
truck drivers more easily.
I thank Representative Kiggans for partnering with me on
this important legislation and the Chairman for including this
bill on the agenda. I also want to thank Senators Blumenthal
and Cassidy for introducing the bipartisan bill in the Senate.
I hope we can all continue to work together to get this passed
into law.
Other bills I wish to highlight include Congressman
Vasquez's H.R. 1965, the Veteran Education Assistance
Adjustment Act, which increases the book and supply stipend
from $1,000 to $1,400 per year. We all know that things cost
more today than they did even a year ago but the book stipend
has remained the same since the post-9/11 GI Bill was enacted
in 2008.
Congresswoman Budzinski's H.R. 2034, the Edith Nourse
Rogers Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Scholarship Opportunity Act makes the requirements for the
scholarship program more accessible for students pursuing
rigorous STEM fields.
Last, Congressman Kennedy's H.R. 2720, the Gold Star Family
Education Parity Act, reduces the challenges faced by surviving
dependents by matching their educational benefits with those
offered under the post-9/11 GI Bill. Under the existing Chapter
35 survivors and dependents educational assistance, Gold Star
families are often left with a less generous education benefit
while simultaneously dealing with their loss.
By expanding this benefit to surviving dependents, families
can pursue the education and training they need to secure
gainful employment following the loss of a loved one.
Our veterans need additional support to keep up with the
cost of living and education expenses are certainly no
exception, so I urge members of this subcommittee to support
veterans' education and training by supporting these bills.
Last, I want to remind the subcommittee that during the
last month's full committee hearing with Secretary Collins, he
committed to addressing veterans homelessness. We do not want
to lose the gains already made toward ending veteran
homelessness, and we have a legislative solution to continue
this momentum, Representative Dexter's Every Veteran Housed
Act.
This bill expands eligibility for support services to
anyone who served in uniform and received anything but a
dishonorable discharge. By expanding the eligibility criteria
to cover more veterans, we help those who served our Nation get
back on their feet and live with dignity and respect.
I thank the Chairman, our colleagues, and our witnesses for
their time today. These are important policy issues that we are
trying to solve for veterans to make the best use of their
earned benefits. I look forward to working with the
subcommittee for continued progress on these issues, and I
yield back.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back.
I will now introduce the witness panel. Our first witness
is Dr. Liz Clark, Acting Director of Defense Support Service
Center at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
Our next witness is Mr. Nick Pamperin, executive director
of Veterans Readiness and Employment at the Department of
Veterans Affairs, accompanied by Mr. Thomas Alphonso, Assistant
Director of Policy and Procedures with education services at
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
I ask the witnesses please to stand and raise your right
hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to
provide is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth?
[Witnesses sworn.]
Mr. Van Orden. You may be seated. Thank you. The record
will reflect that the witnesses have answered in the
affirmative. I will ask the witnesses and members today to
respect the 5-minute rule.
Dr. Clark, you are now recognized for 5 minutes to deliver
your testimony.
STATEMENT OF LIZ CLARK
Dr. Clark. Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas, and
distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you to discuss Enhancing the
Transitioning Servicemember's Experience Act. The department is
committed to supporting our warfighters and their families as
they navigate the transition from military to civilian life.
TAP is the essential foundation of that support and sets
the conditions for successful transition. Each year TAP
provides approximately 200,000 servicemembers with a common
level of support regardless of location, military service, or
component, and at over 200 locations around the globe.
The overarching result is that today's TAP provides
servicemembers more comprehensive transition preparation,
information, support, and services than at any time during our
Nation's history.
TAP provides broad-ranging information, training,
resources, and support that effectively prepare servicemembers
for success as they navigate through the challenges and
opportunities presented during the transition from active duty
to civilian life. This support enables and empowers
servicemembers to leverage their skills, knowledge, and
abilities to reach their full potential, achieve individual
post-transition goals, and continue to serve our Nation as
successful veterans who strengthen our local communities and
our Nation.
Since its inception in 1991, TAP has undergone extensive
changes to ensure it is relevant, agile, and ever-improving to
meet the needs of transitioning servicemembers. TAP design
ensures both flexibility and relevance.
The flexibility afforded by current TAP design allows the
tailoring of the transition process to individual needs and
goals, while ensuring that servicemembers receive information
and resources that best support individualized preparation for
transition.
TAP stays relevant through the focus on preparation for
civilian life and ensuring servicemember buy-in, and active
participation. In short, TAP works.
TAP works in large part because of the TAPs interagency's
dynamic and a collaboration and partnership, a best-in-class
example of effective Federal agency collaboration and service
delivery.
The TAP interagency delivers TAP as an individualized,
robust program with alternate pathways and multiple levels of
assistance. Each step of the process is guided by TAP
counselors trained to provide employment, education, and
entrepreneur guidance and assistance, allowing servicemembers
to be in control of their transition and utilize programs,
resources, and information that fit their specific needs and
align with their post-transition goals.
Military-to-civilian transition is an ever-evolving,
complex, and multifaceted environment in which the variety of
individual goals equals the number of transitioning
servicemembers.
TAP is and must remain adaptive while ensuring programmatic
focus on three foundational and complementary tenets: effective
counseling, servicemember buy-in, and meaningful support
connections throughout the transition period.
Therefore, TAP will maintain emphasis on an individualized
approach that best meets the servicemember's post-transition
goals. To that end, TAP will remain innovative, responsive,
transparent, and collaborative.
The department will continuously improve transition
services and support by working with the servicemembers, the
military services, interagency partners, non-governmental
entities, and Congress.
Transitioning from military service to veteran status is
not just a professional priority for me. It is deeply personal.
As an Army officer who has served in the active component, the
Reserves, and the National Guard, I have lived the challenges
that come with taking off the uniform but still carrying the
mission.
During my time working in suicide prevention, I had the
distinct honor of speaking with those navigating through
transition, those who have experienced suicide-related
behaviors, and families who have endured heartbreaking losses.
These conversations have stayed with me. They remind me every
day that this work is critical, and I am fully committed on
both a personal and professional level to strengthening the
partnerships and policies that support our veterans.
It is our duty to ensure that those who serve return to
communities that uplift them, systems that support them, and a
Nation that continues to benefit from their strength.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I thank you, Ranking Member
Pappas and the members of the subcommittee for your outstanding
and continuing support of the men and women who proudly wear
the uniform in defense of our great Nation. I am truly honored
to speak with you today, and I look forward to your questions.
[The Prepared Statement Of Liz Clark Appears In The
Appendix]
Mr. Van Orden. The gentlelady yields back. The written
statement of Dr. Clark will be entered into the hearing record.
Mr. Pamperin, you are now recognized for 5 minutes to
deliver your testimony on behalf of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
STATEMENT OF NICK PAMPERIN
Mr. Pamperin. Good morning, Chairman Van Orden, Ranking
Member Pappas, and distinguished members of the subcommittee.
Thank you for inviting us here today to present our views on
bills affecting VA programs and benefits. Joining me today is
Mr. Tom Alphonso, Assistant Director of Education Service at
the Veterans Benefits Administration.
While VA's views on all of the bills are detailed in my
written testimony, I would like to highlight a few bills that
would have profound effect on our delivery of services to
veterans, survivors, and their family members. VA offers
support for much of the proposed legislation before us today.
First, VA supports H.R. 3579, the Veterans Readiness And
Employment Integrity Act, which would establish a 180-day time
limit for employment assistance. Veterans demonstrate the
highest engagement in their job search within the first 3 to 6
months of placement services. This is also the timeframe in
which the majority of VR&E participants find employment.
VA also proposes that the Congress apply the 180-day
limitation to counseling placement and post-payment (sic)
services addressed in the regulation, which can currently be
provided for up to 18 months. This would ensure a more targeted
approach, maximizing the effectiveness of the program.
VA supports but cites significant concerns with H.R. 3387,
Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember's Experience Act. VA
supports the bill's overall intent, specifically the
personalized support for at-risk servicemembers and creating a
TAP resource website.
However, VA does not support certain sections due to
resource and logistical concerns, including unannounced audits
of pre-separation counseling and additional counseling for
military spouses outside of normal hours.
VA defers to DoD and U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) on several areas, but in summary, while we endorse the
intent, several practical and resource challenges must be
addressed for effective implementation.
VA does not support H.R. 3384, the Refinancing Relief For
Veterans Act. VA collects loan fees to fund housing loan
operations and reduce taxpayer liabilities for loans
guaranteed, insured, or made by VA and the need for the
adjustment of the interest rate reduction refinance loan, or
IRRRL.
VA cites concern with the IRRRL statutory loan fee rate
since this bill would first decrease then increase the IRRRL
loan rate fee. It is not clear to VA how these adjustments
would in the long term benefit the veteran, the VA home loan
program, or the taxpayer.
Also, the bill would result in costly and time-consuming
system changes for both lenders and VA. Any time the statutory
loan fee rate changes VA systems are required to ensure VA
calculates and charges the correct fee. Lenders generally
require up to 120 days or more lead time for program changes to
their systems and additional training any time there is a
change to the funding fee rate.
VA also does not support H.R. 2720, the Gold Star Family
Education Parity Act. While VA supports the concept of
consolidating Chapter 35 and 33 educational assistance programs
into a single benefit, VA would not be able to implement this
legislation as written because the Chapter 35 and 33 programs
have considerably different eligibility rules and payment
structures, which is not addressed in this bill.
VA notes several aspects of the bill lack clarity, and VA
would welcome discussions on a path forward that may satisfy
the committee's intent for this legislation.
Finally, VA does not support the Every Veteran Housed Act,
which aims to expand eligibility for homeless benefits. While
VA strongly agrees with the need to resolve veteran
homelessness and is exploring all options to address this
issue, VA has some concerns with the bill's provisions.
Primarily, current law uses two different statutory
definitions for veteran for eligibility purposes. By adopting a
single definition for all programs and authorities in Chapter
20, the bill would alter current terms for more than a dozen
different programs.
VA believes further coordination and review is necessary
before such a significant step is taken. This expansion would
also require additional resources, and VA and other agencies
have not had the opportunity to determine what these resources
would be.
We welcome the opportunity to meet with the committee to
discuss how VA and Congress can work together to further reduce
and eliminate veteran homelessness.
VA appreciates many of the remaining bills on the agenda
today, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the
committee to find a way to resolve the issues we have
identified so that we can fully support all of them. We are
grateful for the resources that Congress has provided to VA and
pledge to do all that we can to ensure they are used as
effectively as possible.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement. My colleagues
and I are prepared to respond to any questions you or the other
members of the committee may have.
[The Prepared Statement Of Nick Pamperin Appears In The
Appendix]
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back. The written
statement of Mr. Pamperin will be entered into the hearing
record.
I now recognize Ranking Member Pappas for 5 minutes.
Mr. Pappas. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Pamperin, if I can start with you? I want to ask a
question about the GI Bill Parity Act and ask you about VA
determining eligibility and amounts of education benefits under
Chapter 33, when a veteran chooses to transfer their benefit to
a dependent. Can you tell me a little bit more about how VA
determines that eligibility under Chapter 33?
Mr. Alphonso.
Mr. Alphonso. Thank you, sir. I will take that question. I
think your question was how do we determine eligibility to
transfer benefits? That is actually a determination that is
made while in service. It is on the Department of Defense side
so the military secretaries first have to determine that the
servicemember has met the time and service requirements that
are in statute. They then have to commit to an additional 4
years of service to be eligible and then they are authorized to
transfer their benefits to their dependents after they complete
those initial service requirements that are in statute.
Mr. Pappas. Okay. I am just wondering, you talked, Mr.
Pamperin, about opposition to the bill because of different
eligibility rules, payment structures. I am just wondering,
since there is already a process for transferring education
benefits to dependents, is not this something that you could
work through?
Mr. Alphonso. Thank you, sir, I will take that as well.
There certainly are ways to figure out how this bill could
work. That is why we said we would welcome the opportunity to
work with the committee, as we stated. We agree with moving
Chapter 35 to 33. There are lots of reasons that that is a good
idea. We just need to work through those technical parts.
As it is written, it does not give us any guidance for how
to do any of those rules, so that is all we are saying is we
would welcome the opportunity to work on technical amendments
to get to whatever is the concept Congress wants to pursue
there.
Mr. Pappas. Okay, sir. It sounds like you believe it is
something that can be overcome with further discussion and some
additional language in the legislation?
Mr. Alphonso. Absolutely, sir.
Mr. Pappas. What percentage of GI Bill education funding is
going to online programs?
Mr. Alphonso. Unfortunately, sir, I do not have that number
for you but I can take that for the record.
Mr. Pappas. Okay. We would love to have a good number on
that. I am wondering how many beneficiaries are enrolled in
those programs full-time?
Mr. Alphonso. Again, sir, I will have to take that for the
record and get you those numbers.
Mr. Pappas. Okay. I am wondering how VA will know when to
pay out full-time housing, stipend, or only half. How would
that judgment be made?
Mr. Alphonso. Yes, sir. That is currently done right now it
is through the school when the school certifies the student's
enrollment, they tell us whether the student is enrolled
online, solely online, or if they are enrolled in resident.
That then is what we use as our data point to determine the
correct payment rate.
Mr. Pappas. Okay. There is a--you would have a way of
determining what more than half time would mean?
Mr. Alphonso. Absolutely, sir.
Mr. Pappas. Okay. I know online education is playing a
critical role in helping veterans secure a degree, and I have a
university in my district, Southern New Hampshire University,
that is a leader in online education, enrolls more than 200,000
students online, was awarded the 21st Century Distance Learning
award by the U.S. Distance Learning Association. They are a
good example of high quality, accessible educations that
veterans deserve.
Many Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) continue to
express concerns about the quality of education offered by bad
actors that are seeking to profit off veterans' benefits, so I
am wondering if VA has a plan to provide better oversight and
quality control of online programs?
Mr. Alphonso. Yes, thank you, sir. The current program we
have the State approving agents. They are the gatekeepers of
quality so they have standards. There is standards in statute
and then each State has the ability to add their own additional
reasonable criteria.
They ensure that the programs that are approved are of
sufficient quality, and if they are not then the program would
be disapproved from participation in the GI Bill.
Mr. Pappas. I have limited time left. I want to switch to
Representative Dexter's legislation, the Every Veteran Housed
Act. I am wondering if you agree with the sentiment that there
are veterans experiencing homelessness today because they are
ineligible for programs offered through VA?
Mr. Pamperin. Excuse me. I appreciate the question. There
are certainly veterans who are homeless that currently are not
availing of VA homeless benefits.
Mr. Pappas. Yes.
Mr. Pamperin. We do support the intent of the legislation.
Mr. Pappas. Okay. You agree with the intent that expanding
to a broader definition would capture more veterans and would
help us address the problem of veteran homelessness?
Mr. Pamperin. Well, I think, sir, what we need to do is we
need to assess the full impact by expanding that and
consolidating the definitions down to one. That is why we would
need to assess and work with agencies. There are other players
who have equity in this to make sure that it is doable.
Mr. Pappas. Is it a question of resources?
Mr. Pamperin. In all honesty, sir, I am not the homeless
benefits expert. I would have to take that for the record.
Mr. Pappas. Okay. We will talk further about that.
I will yield back. Thank you.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back.
The chair now recognizes Representative King-Hinds for 5
minutes.
Ms. King-Hinds. Thank you, Chairman Van Orden, for the
opportunity to speak on a critical new piece of legislation,
H.R. 3720, the Heroes Owning and Materializing Equity Act of
2025. Thank you for co-leading it with me.
According to the statistics provided by the VA, veteran
homelessness rose 19 percent from 2020 to 2022 in the Northern
Mariana Islands, and I am sure I am not the first or the last
person to say that veteran and homeless should not exist
together.
When our veterans return home after serving our country,
they deserve every opportunity to build a stable and secure
life. For many, that starts with the cornerstone of the
American dream, home ownership. The Department of Veterans
Affairs' home loan program has helped millions of veterans and
their families buy homes. It is one of the most impactful
benefits that veterans can access.
While the VA home loan opens the door, it does not provide
veterans with the education needed to develop a deep
understanding of financial planning. To provide additional
tools for veteran home buyers, the Housing Oversight and
Mitigating Exploitation (HOME) Act does two key things.
First, it empowers the VA to partner with veteran service
organizations and nonprofits to offer voluntary financial
counseling to veterans using their VA home loan benefit. This
is critical.
Too often, veterans become home owners and need financial
planning. Without it they may fall behind on payments or even
lose their homes. This bill helps prevent that outcome by
making proactive financial guidance readily available.
Second, the HOME Act creates a national data base of
adapted homes that accommodate disabilities. Right now, if a
disabled veteran needs to buy a home there is no centralized
way to find homes that fits their needs. They are forced to
look for accessible homes from scratch.
With this bill, veterans using the specially adapted
housing program, or SAH, could use this data base to find homes
that meet the needs of their disability. It is a simple, common
sense solution that reduces the burden and helps veterans find
a place where they can live safely and comfortably.
We islanders look out for each other. It is who we are.
This bill reflects our shared beliefs that no one should fall
through the cracks because of lack of information or resources.
The people who defended our country should never have to
face financial instability or risk losing their home when all
of us here can provide them with the knowledge needed to thrive
as homeowners by supporting this bill. I urge all my colleagues
to support the HOME Act of 2025.
I am a believer in prevention is better than cure, and I
think a lot of the bills before this committee does just that.
I want to speak directly to the TAP program, which I think
attempts to do just that, provide our vets with the resources.
Some of the things that I am still hearing, and I am really
glad, Dr. Clark, that you mentioned that you are working on
having individualized transition paths for our vets, because
too often what we are hearing is that the program is a one-
size-fits-all, you know, program that does not necessarily
address the particularized needs of our vets.
One of the things that I am also hearing is that there are
gaps in post-TAP follow up and continuity of care. Can you just
speak to that issue and share your thoughts on how we can work
together to make improvements to that?
Dr. Clark. Thank you so much for the question and the
support for the TAP program. TAP that was 10 years ago, 5 years
ago, and even 3 years ago, is different than what it is today.
We are appreciative of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) that changed TAP from a one-size-fits-
all to an individualized program.
That each servicemember has different needs and different
post-transition goals, and that all starts with the initial
counseling that will help them pave the way for what their
transition looks like and then ends with a capstone at 90 days
prior to separation.
At that point, if the transitioning servicemember may be at
heightened risk, we then do a warm handover transfer to either
the appropriate Federal agency or the local resource.
We also then do have with our partnership with the
Department of Labor and VA opportunities to then reach out to
the veterans as well. We also have Military OneSource that is
available 365 days after separation or retirement.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentlelady yields back.
The chair now recognizes Mrs. Ramirez for 5 minutes.
Ms. Ramirez. Thank you, Chairman, and beloved Ranking
Member for holding this hearing. I also want to thank all of
our witnesses that are here today. Yes, beloved. You are, kind
of, beloved too.
What you see here is we really are wanting to get above the
politics and really focus on serving our veterans, which is why
I started the way I did, but let me come back to my remarks
today. My priority, in addition to make sure that this
committee is working together, is to center the needs of the
20,000 veterans I represent in Illinois' Third congressional
District. Those needs include a veteran's successful transition
into civilian life.
The transition from military service to civilian life is
distinct and complex, and the Transition Assistance Program,
TAP, plays a unique role in facilitating a successful
transition from employment assistance to mental health
services, housing support, and access to continued education,
our veterans deserve an integrated, streamlined, comprehensive
approach to TAP that recognizes their sacrifices, that honors
their needs, and provides them with the necessary tools,
resources, and the support that they need to succeed.
We know that TAP needs improvement, and I want to say that
I appreciate Congressman Van Orden's bill, the Enhancing the
Transiting Servicemember's Experience Act, which attempts to
improve TAP through various changes. The ideas on this bill are
worth building on, and I want to discuss the ways these ideas
could be improved to fully serve our veterans.
One of the proposed changes to the bill would allow active
duty servicemembers to engage a TAP program earlier, 540 days
instead of 356 days. While ensuring they have a longer period
where they can begin assessing the program earlier and
accessing resources does not fix the fact that these resources
are still rooted in a check the box mentality, you know, watch
a video, check, and fill out the paper, check, and visit the
website, check and check after check. I do think that it begins
to give them more resources earlier.
Another change to TAP I would offer is counseling that is
trauma-informed, culturally competent, and fully integrated
with State and local workforce systems. Counseling must take
into account the diversity of our veterans, which means it must
be able to serve the unique needs of our veterans, and that
includes women, LGBTQ plus servicemembers, and servicemembers
of color.
I also have a serious concern about how this bill could
normalize a two-tiered TAP system, and one of the changes in
this bill would provide free counseling for 3 days for those
who find employment, versus 5 days for those without.
Counseling should be given equitably to all veterans,
regardless of their ability to get employment after separation.
To improve TAP, we need mandatory participation. We need TAP to
begin not just earlier but more often and throughout a
servicemember's career, not just at the end, and we need
funding to actually back it up.
Dr. Clark, in this administration, supportive of giving
servicemembers more--let me reword my question. Dr. Clark, is
this administration supportive of giving servicemembers more
time for TAP?
Number two, Dr. Clark, what additional changes are needed
to make that possible at the DoD?
Dr. Clark. Thank you for the question. Currently, the NDAA
Fiscal Year 2019 has TAP available and mandatory at 365 days
pre-separation. For retirees it is 730 days. It is 2 years
prior to their retirement.
Due to the operational readiness and with commanders
balancing that delicate balance between operational readiness
and supporting the transition period, we feel that 365 days is
the appropriate time where it is then mandatory, although we do
have TAP that is available online 24/7 that does not even
require a TAP card for any servicemembers.
365 days is the point where we feel is the delicate balance
between the operational readiness needs, as well as the
supporting the transitioning servicemember.
Ms. Ramirez. What structural reforms would DoD be
considering to ensure that TAP is not only more equitable but
also trauma-informed, culturally responsive? Again, I just want
to really emphasize when we are talking about our veterans we
are talking about all of them, and I include the LGBTQ+
servicemembers and servicemembers of color.
I am really interested how do we do that beyond the
employment rates?
Dr. Clark. Thank you so much, and when we look at TAP being
individualized it is individualized if it is a career field, if
it is one of the underrepresented populations, it is continuing
to be that individual counseling for that specific need for
that specific transition goal.
The TAP of yesterday and even TAP of today is not the same
that it will continue to be. We are committed to ensuring that
TAP remains the best in class, and we are continuing to evolve
it.
Ms. Ramirez. Thank you, Dr. Clark.
With that, Chairman, I yield back.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentle-lady yields back.
The chair recognizes Mr. Hamadeh from the great State of
Arizona.
Mr. Hamadeh. Thank you, Chairman.
Thank you all for being here today as well. I am grateful
for the opportunity to speak before the subcommittee on the
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act, a bill
that I am very proud to co-lead with Congresswoman Budzinski.
She has been phenomenal to work with.
As an Army veteran and a member of both the Armed Services
and Veteran Affairs Committee, I know exactly how difficult it
can be for soldiers transitioning to civilian life. You know,
veterans often share with me personal stories about the many
financial obstacles they face in completing degrees in high
demand areas, such as engineering, computer science, and
healthcare. I have heard all of these stories many times
before, and these stories demand action.
Now, that is why this bipartisan bill is so important.
Right now, the VA's own rules force veterans to exhaust nearly
all of their post-9/11 GI Bill benefits before they can even
apply for the STEM scholarship.
Our bill fixes this by letting veterans apply earlier after
they have completed 45 credit hours instead of 60 and without
having to drain their GI Bill first. It is a simple common
sense change that puts veterans first and cuts needless red
tape.
Over the last 3 years, 3,500 veterans have used the
scholarship to pursue STEM degrees, but we know the demand is
much higher, especially as Arizona continues to lead the way in
semiconductor manufacturing and defense technology with Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) and Luke Air
Force Base right in our own backyard. We need more homegrown
talent ready to fill these critical roles, and who better than
those who have already served our country?
Now, this bill is about strengthening our workforce,
boosting our national security, and honoring our promise to
veterans. It is backed by the American Legion, Disabled
American Veterans (DAV), Student Veterans of America and AMVETS
organizations that know our veterans need to succeed.
Now, the bottom line is this. Meeting the needs of our
veterans should never be a partisan issue. This is about giving
our Nation's heroes the tools to succeed in the next chapter of
their lives, while also strengthening America's economic and
technological edge.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help us
deliver real results for those who have sacrificed so much for
our country.
With that, I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back.
The chair now recognizes Representative Kennedy from the
great State of--well, from New York.
Mr. Kennedy. Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chairman, Ranking
Member Pappas, members of the subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to speak today in support of my bill, H.R. 2720,
the Gold Star Family Parity Act.
When our sons and daughters take an oath to defend our
Nation, their families take that oath with them and during long
deployments, missed milestones, and the ever-present anxiety of
having a loved one in harm's way.
When the unthinkable happens, when a servicemember makes
the ultimate sacrifice, it is those families who bear the
lifelong weight of that loss.
As members of this committee, we have a solemn
responsibility to ensure that our policies support those
families, not fail them. Right now when it comes to educational
benefits, our system does exactly that.
Under current law, if a servicemember dies before formally
transferring their post-9/11 GI benefits, their spouse or
children are left with a lesser benefit under Chapter 35,
survivors independence educational assistance, or DEA. Let me
be clear, that disparity is both outdated and unfair.
DEA provides survivors and dependents roughly $1,536 per
month, or about $13,800 annually for full-time study, but the
average annual cost for a 4-year public university is more than
$27,000.
This financial gap leaves Gold Star families, who are
already grieving the loss of a loved one, struggling to make
ends meet simply because their servicemember had not completed
a transfer form before their death and died in service to this
country. It is unjust and certainly not the way we should treat
the families of our fallen heroes.
The Gold Star Family Parity Act that I carry would correct
this inequity. My bill ensures that all surviving dependents,
regardless of whether benefits were officially transferred,
received the full post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits their
loved ones have earned by that individual's service and
sacrifice to this country. In short, it ensures that Gold Star
families are treated with the dignity, gratitude, and support
that they deserve and earned.
I am proud to lead this effort on behalf of the families of
western New York and across our country who have given more
than we can ever repay. I would like to thank Ms. Ashlynne
Haycock-Lohmann, the director of Government and Legislative
Affairs at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors for
their endorsement of this bill.
We cannot let red tape stand in the way of what is right.
When a servicemember gives their life for this country, their
families should not be left behind because of an administrative
hurdle. This is our chance to honor their sacrifice with
action, not just words.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important
piece of legislation, and I urge all of our colleagues to
support the Gold Star Family Parity Act to deliver the justice,
dignity, and support to these families of these fallen heroes.
Thank you. I yield back.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentlemen yields back. In accordance
with committee rule 5 (e), I ask unanimous consent that
Representative Vasquez from New Mexico be permitted to
participate in today's committee, excuse me, subcommittee
hearing. No objection, so ordered.
The chair now recognizes Representative Barrett from the
great State of Michigan.
Mr. Barrett. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for
taking up these bills and for the testimony today. Wanted to
start, Mr. Pamperin, did I say your name correctly, sir? Very
good, thank you. I appreciate the VA's initial support for my
bill, the Patriots Over Politics Act, to restore the GI Bill
transferability for servicemembers who left the military under
duress during the time of the COVID vaccine mandate. That was,
obviously, later reversed and then has been attempted to be
reconciled over time.
Now, one of the issues that the VA brought up as a concern
was the enactment period, the 90-day window to open a period of
time for veterans who qualify to apply for this benefit. I
believe in your testimony you pointed out that starting from
the point of enactment is difficult for the department to do.
If we allowed for a 1-year period for the secretary to open
a 90-day window would that satisfy the concerns that the
department has on that piece of it?
Mr. Alphonso. Sir, I will be taking that question.
Mr. Barrett. Okay.
Mr. Alphonso. What you are asking about is, I think,
essentially how long will it take to implement the----
Mr. Barrett. Right.
Mr. Alphonso [continuing]. changes. That would have to
defer to DoD, as we discussed a little bit earlier. This bill
creates an opportunity to transfer entitlement.
Mr. Barrett. Right.
Mr. Alphonso. The transfer entitlement portion is actually
done on the DoD side, so the system that is used, the portal
that you use to apply and then to transfer benefits, that is
all DoD systems. We would have to defer to them----
Mr. Barrett. Okay.
Mr. Alphonso [continuing]. to answer your question about
how long it would take.
Mr. Barrett. Okay, thank you.
Dr. Clark, that brings up my next point, which is the VA
deferred in their testimony to your department for this. I do
not believe in reading your testimony that you had rendered any
position on the bill. Can you help us understand where the DoD
is?
Dr. Clark. This is an important topic to the department,
and we will take that for the record.
Mr. Barrett. Okay. How quickly can we determine an answer?
I mean, I would like to, obviously, get this done. There were a
lot of people affected by this.
Dr. Clark. Yes. We understand the importance of this, and
we will take that back for the record and go through our formal
protocols for the response.
Mr. Barrett. Okay. In the DoD do you have any records of
people who left the military during the time of the mandate,
during the time as prescribed under the bill, who may have
begun the process of transferability but their careers were cut
short before the timeline had run for that full completion?
Do you have those records where if a servicemember left,
ended their enlistment, was released under some, kind of,
disciplinary status due to COVID mandate, or retired, do we
have that archived record of the, you know, in-process
transfers that was cut short? Or was that deleted at the time
of their departure?
Dr. Clark. I understand the question. It is outside of my
portfolio, so I will take that back for the record.
Mr. Barrett. Okay. I do appreciate that. Do you have any
idea how many members of the military this may have affected
who were in this circumstance?
Dr. Clark. We will also take that for the record.
Mr. Barrett. Okay. I know that the cost that the
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) came up with was, as they
said, I think the direct quote was, ``in the low single digit
millions over a 10-year period.'' That is about the lowest
price tag I have seen on a bill that has been scored.
If the DoD can render any opinion on that as well or in
consultation with the VA, we would appreciate knowing that as
well. So, but appreciate it, thank you.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back.
In accordance with committee rule 5 (e), I ask unanimous
consent that the Representative Mr. Mast from the great State
of Florida be permitted to participate in today's subcommittee
hearing. Without objection, so ordered.
The chair now recognizes Mr. Vasquez for 5 minutes.
Mr. Vasquez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you distinguished members of the Veterans Affairs
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity for allowing me to
participate in today's hearing to discuss my bill, H.R. 1965,
the bipartisan Veterans Education Assistance Adjustment Act.
In New Mexico alone, we have one of the highest rates of
answering the call of duty than any other State in the Nation,
but it is also one of the most financially challenged states in
the Nation and our veterans sacrifice dearly in defense of our
country.
We have an obligation to take care of them once they
transition back into civilian life and pursue higher education.
The post-9/11 GI Bill has been a key resource for veterans in
New Mexico and across this Nation to access financial
assistance as they work to achieve their academic goals.
Unfortunately, the value of the GI Bill has diminished over the
years due to inflation and the rising cost of living.
Since it was last updated in 2008, the GI Bill has provided
an annual stipend of $1,000 for books, supplies, and other
educational costs. When considering the rise of inflation,
$1,000 in 2008 equates to $1,485 in 2025.
The stipend today's veterans are getting is worth
significantly less than their predecessors received over 17
years ago, and that is simply not fair. We must do more to
ensure our veterans have the resources they need to be
successful in the civilian world, which is why I am proud to
lead the bipartisan Veterans Education Assistance Adjustment
Act.
My bill would address this shortfall by increasing the GI
book stipend from $1,000 to $1,400 per year to give our
veterans the full value of the intended benefit. Books and
other school supplies can be a barrier for many veterans when
they return to school, and they deserve the opportunity to
educate themselves without being financially burdened.
New Mexico is home to over 130,000 veterans and roughly
4,000 of those are currently enrolled in school using GI
education benefits. Veterans upheld their end of the bargain
when they raised their right hand and swore an oath to protect
our freedom.
Now, we must do our part to ensure they have the benefits
that they were promised in exchange for their years of selfless
service. This is why I strongly urge this committee to hold a
markup as soon as possible and favorably pass this bipartisan
bill to give our veterans the opportunity to reach their
academic potential.
I especially want to thank Chairman Van Orden for the
opportunity to be here today and speak on this bill and for his
support as a co-sponsor of this bill as well. I yield back the
balance of my time. Thank you, Mr. Van Orden.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back.
The chair now recognizes my great friend Brian Mast from
the State of Florida.
Mr. Mast. Thank you, Chairman Van Orden and Ranking Member
Pappas. I appreciate you letting me waive onto the committee
today and join you all, an amazing committee, represents the
best that our country has ever put forward and our brothers and
sisters in arms could not appreciate every single one of you
more. Love you all to the depths of my heart. That is for sure.
I want to speak to you all about squatters, squatters in
the homes of our servicemembers. This is something that despite
being on the Veterans Affairs Committee-came through this
committee-as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, even though
it affects those that are in service still.
Anybody who has a friend or a family member that is serving
in uniform or has served, you know the challenges associated
with going away, with being on deployment, being on a float,
moving across the country, maybe having to have a home that you
have lived in that you have not had the opportunity to sell yet
before you have to change your duty station somewhere else
across the country, just a number of different difficulties
that are associated with that military lifestyle and having to
transition across the globe.
I could not really imagine something that would be more
infuriating than coming back from a deployment or a float or a
training exercise or some long, extended period away and
finding squatters in my home.
Whether that be a home that was my primary residence or if
I had an investment or anything else like that, it would be an
extremely frustrating, to say the least, situation and costly
situation because a number of states actually have laws that do
more to protect the squatters than protect the servicemember
homeowners from the squatters, which is an entirely sour part
of this problem.
What I want to ask, number one, is can any of you all speak
to what you have seen about servicemembers returning to
squatters in their home? Do any of you have an experience in
this?
Mr. Pamperin. I appreciate the question. I have not. For
the Civil Relief Act, this is one that we have deferred to DoD
since we are talking active duty, so VA does not have any
equity. I am not familiar with any.
Dr. Clark. I understand the critical importance of this
issue. The department takes that back for the record.
Mr. Mast. You will take it for the record? Is that what you
said? Thank you.
Mr. Alphonso. Sir, I have no experience.
Mr. Mast. I appreciate that. I did introduce a piece of
legislation related to this. It is what we call the
Servicemember Residence Protection Act, and it is specifically
to go to the parameters of what I outlined.
While these squatters laws they do vary from State to
State, they do generally allow trespassers to claim ownership
of a property if it is simply open, unoccupied, if their stay
is continuous on the property. These are things that they will
try to demonstrate to the State, even though they have no
contract, no legal binding to these properties.
Then removing them from the property is, again, it takes a
lengthy legal intervention. We have very specific cases that we
have looked at where servicemembers have spent upwards of
$50,000, which is a tremendous amount of money for any of us on
a military salary, as anybody can recognize, to try and get
these people out in legal fees.
I would ask you all as individuals that certainly have a
background in this world, do you see squatters moving into the
homes of our servicemembers as an issue affecting national
security?
Mr. Pamperin. Honestly, sir, I am not sure I can answer
that question.
Mr. Mast. You do not see that as affecting the readiness of
a servicemember if they are dealing with legal headaches as it
relates to somebody unlawfully being in their home or taking
over their residence, leaving the toilet seat down, utilizing
their silverware, their plates, their dishes, sitting on their
couch, putting their feet up, watching the television, all the
while they cannot get them out of their home?
Mr. Pamperin. Respectfully, sir, I do not have a position
and I do not represent my personal opinion.
Mr. Mast. Madam Clark--Dr. Clark.
Dr. Clark. Agree with my VA colleagues that I understand
the seriousness of this and I do not have an opinion on this.
Mr. Mast. No opinion about whether that affects the
readiness of servicemembers?
Dr. Clark. In line with my VA colleague here, too, that
understand the importance of this topic----
Mr. Mast. No opinion about whether it affects the readiness
of servicemembers?
Dr. Clark. We will have to take that for the record.
Mr. Mast. Really?
Dr. Clark. The department remains committed to being able
to provide information to the subcommittee.
Mr. Mast. Okay. I am just looking for opinion, right, from
the Department of Defense.
Dr. Clark. I am not representing my personal opinion here.
I am representing the Department.
Mr. Mast. Certainly, the opinion of the Department of
Defense. All right. Well, that is how you want to answer it I
do not have any other choice but to accept that. It is an issue
that affects a number of our servicemembers.
I have had the opportunity to speak to some of them that
have been specifically affected by this, again, pointing out
the dollar amounts that it is costing them.
I would just thank the Ranking Member and Chairman for the
opportunity to speak about this as an issue that I believe
affects readiness because of the personal impact it has on
individuals. You have given me ample time. I appreciate that.
Thank you for the great work you all do on this incredible
committee.
Mr. Van Orden. You are welcome, sir. The gentleman yields
back.
I now recognize myself for 5 minutes. Dr. Clark, I want to
thank you for being here. I do not know what happened, but the
DoD has been much more responsive to this committee, and I am
telling you right now I appreciate it deeply. We have had
issues in the past and we could not seem to line up, but you
being here again is really--it is commendable and I appreciate
that. It shows a real commitment to making sure that we deal
with the lifespan of the servicemember.
I also want to thank Secretary Collins and Secretary
Hegseth for signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to
address this TAP thing. I mean, that is brand new. I mean, we
have been trying to get something going for a long time.
This is really important to Chris and me. It was Mike, my
friend, the previous Ranking Member. We are moving forward, and
I appreciate that greatly.
How long have you been at the DoD in a civilian capacity?
Dr. Clark. This August it will be 16 years.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay, awesome.
Mr. Pamperin, how long have you been at the VA?
Mr. Pamperin. I have been at the VA, excuse me, since
October 2001.
Mr. Van Orden. Since when?
Mr. Pamperin. 23 and a half.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay.
Mr. Pamperin. Or excuse me, yes, 23 and a half.
Mr. Van Orden. In this--right--for 23 and a half years.
Okay.
I am a graduate of an online university and I believe that
we need to expand the benefits for accredited online education
and that I view that we are discriminating against students who
are receiving monthly housing allowances (MHA) to take summer
classes online to complete their degree. What do you suggest
for amendments to H.R. 3753?
Mr. Pamperin. Well, I will take that for the----
Mr. Van Orden. It is--no. No. You are here, Mr. Pamperin.
It is 2025 so you will answer this question, sir. If you are
unfamiliar with the subject matter that is not okay. Can you
answer this question, Mr. Pamperin?
Mr. Pamperin. I cannot.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay.
Mr. Pamperin. I am not an expert on this.
Mr. Van Orden. VA has given information to the subcommittee
that there are veterans that have been on VR&E for over 20
years. Can you tell me your thoughts on the VR&E 8-year limit?
Mr. Pamperin. We support the proposed legislation. We do
believe it will put----
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. How can we work with you for oversight
because clearly that does not exist at this point?
Mr. Pamperin. We remain committed to working with the
committee to do what is best for the program.
Mr. Van Orden. Well, I am committed to grow my hair and it
is not working, so there is a difference between a commitment
and action.
Mr. Pamperin. Absolutely.
Mr. Van Orden. I am not confusing motion with progress, and
I think you are. Do you think the book stipend should be
increased?
Mr. Pamperin. We do believe the book stipend should be
increased.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. When you are talking about H.R. 3384
in your written and verbal testimony, you say, ``Additionally,
the bill would result in costly and time-consuming system
changes for both lenders and the VA.'' What does that even
mean?
Mr. Pamperin. If----
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. What does that mean? Costly system
changes?
Mr. Pamperin. So----
Mr. Van Orden. You guys are faxing stuff back and forth
still, and then if it is time-consuming what do you guys do all
day? Like, if you do not have time to do this, what are you
doing? This is, I mean, that is just not okay. That is silly.
It is time-consuming. It is your job, sir.
Okay. I appreciate the VA responded to a letter that
Chairman Bost and I sent out at the end of last year regarding
the VR&E program. Unfortunately, this letter is very concerning
because the information regarding wait times and proper
oversight of VR&E, which you are directly responsible for, not
him.
After my staff has done more digging, you have now told us
that there are individuals on the VR&E program for over 30
years.
I want everyone sitting back there with one of those hats
on that I have got my office to understand there are people
that have been on the VR&E program for over 30 years, 3
decades. You have been in that seat since how long?
Mr. Pamperin. For the last 3.
Mr. Van Orden. Yes. When was the last time you did an
annual report on this, because you are griping about having to
do it for this other thing. When was the last time you did
that? When is the last time you did an Inspector General (IG)
investigation, is this person alive? Do we know these things?
This is what we are talking about, the waste, fraud, abuse
that needs to be cleaned up in the VA. Again, you have got a
dude on VR&E since 1994. Can you explain to me directly why
this is still happening?
Mr. Pamperin. Yes. I appreciate the question. This
gentleman in question----
Mr. Van Orden. It is not a question.
Mr. Pamperin [continuing]. has been on----
Mr. Van Orden. Go ahead.
Mr. Pamperin [continuing]. in the program, however, has
been going in multiple points of interrupt, meaning they are no
longer active. They are no longer receiving benefits or being
paid.
Mr. Van Orden. Hey, we did we did our homework, sir.
Listen, we are going to have legislative hearing in July, and I
am officially putting you on notice. You will have answers for
this.
We are going to find out if these people are alive because
if someone has been on this program for 30 years that--in the
intelligence business that is what we would call a clue that
there is probably malfeasance involved here.
With that, my time has expired. I am sorry for going over,
gentlemen, but I just needed to clear that up.
This panel is excused and we will take a short break as we
switch panels.
Mr. Van Orden. This committee will come to order. On our
second panel we will hear from the following witnesses, excuse
me, Mr. Andrew Petrie, Senior Policy Analyst, Veterans
Education and Employment Division at the American Legion; Mr.
Blaze Smith, Director of the University of Arizona's Veterans
Education and Transition Services Center; Mr. Matthew
Schwartzman, Director of Legislation and Military Policy at
Reserve Organization of America (ROA); and Ms. Ashlynne
Haycock-Lohmann, Director of Government and Legislative Affairs
at Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
I would like to welcome you and ask you to stand and raise
your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you
are about to provide is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
(Witnesses sworn)
Mr. Van Orden. All right. You may be seated. Let the record
reflect that all witnesses have answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Petrie, you are now recognized for 5 minutes to deliver
your testimony.
STATEMENT OF ANDREW PETRIE
Mr. Petrie. Thank you. Good morning, Chairman Van Orden,
Ranking Member Pappas, and distinguished members of the
subcommittee. On behalf of national commander Jim LaCoursiere
and more than 1.5 million dues-paying members of the American
Legion, we thank you for inviting the American Legion to
testify today.
I sit before you as an experienced veteran advocate who has
proudly used benefits and programs the VA offers to those who
have defended freedom. As a first-generation college student, I
have earned or I have attended various institutions of higher
learning using my education benefits from the VA, DoD, and
Department of Education, affording me the opportunity to obtain
a Master's degree and positively impact the veteran community.
Aside from education, excuse me, I have used the VA Home
Loan Program twice, including the use of the VA Interest Rate
Reduction Refinance Loan Program.
I am also proud to have worked with various government
officials and other organizations to modify and improve the
Transition Assistance Program for the better part of the last
decade.
It is through this lens that I can see what our members
see, to feel the discouragement and irritation that has
manifested toward navigating the system, applying for
employment and educational benefits, and using the benefits as
intended.
With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to take
this opportunity to highlight a few points while keeping our
members and our Nation's veterans in mind. The American Legion
has advocated for the improvement of education benefits for
more than 8 decades following the Servicemen's Readjustment Act
of 1944, which the American Legion created.
Most of the bills addressed in today's hearing would affect
the education of servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
Two of these bills, Expanding Access for Online Veteran
Students Act and the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment
Act, seek to make overdue changes to the GI Bill, both
supported by the American Legion.
Mr. Ciscomani's draft bill would update and increase the
monthly housing allowance for those pursuing education online
to that of the national average. Currently, students obtaining
online education only receive half of the national average for
their monthly housing allowance.
However, if the geographic area in which a veteran student
resides does not offer the program needed or the veteran or
spouse have a family and it is not feasible to attend school in
person while working or raising their children, why would we
discourage or punish them?
With that said, protections such as the 90/10 rule must
remain in place to prevent for-profit and private institutions
from taking advantage of veterans and their hard-earned
benefits.
Meanwhile, H.R. 1965 would increase the yearly book stipend
for students utilizing the GI Bill from $1,000 to $1,400, a
benefit that has not changed with inflation. One of the largest
issues the American Legion has brought to the forefront to
tackle for our members, current and future, fall under
financial stability and housing addressed first.
Homelessness has been an issue addressed by this
subcommittee numerous times and ending veteran homelessness is
a major priority for the American Legion, which is why we
support the Every Veteran Housed Act.
Equally as important as access to housing, during my 4-year
enlistment I moved two times under military orders across the
globe. I share this experience with you in the context of H.R.
2791, Increasing The Maximum Housing Loan Entitlement Act.
The Every Veteran Housed Act aims to expand eligibility for
homeless benefits for veterans, including those veterans with
less than honorable discharges, while excluding those with
dishonorable discharges and general court martial sentences.
These newly encompassed veterans are at a higher risk for
financial and housing issues.
H.R. 2791 would increase the maximum entitlement to 1.5
times that of the Freddie Mac maximum rate while looking to
purchase the second home in the case that a servicemember or
veteran's first home does not sell prior to the move.
I conclude by thanking Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member
Pappas, and this subcommittee for your incredible leadership
and for always keeping veterans at the forefront of your
mission, It is my privilege to represent the American Legion
before this subcommittee, and I look forward to answering any
questions you may have.
[The Prepared Statement Of Andrew Petrie Appears In The
Appendix]
Mr. Van Orden. Thank you, Mr. Petrie. Let the record
reflect that your written testimony will be entered into the
record.
Mr. Smith, you are now recognized for 5 minutes to deliver
your testimony.
STATEMENT OF BLAZE SMITH
Mr. Smith. Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas, and
distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today. As someone who works
directly with student veterans, transitioning servicemembers,
and military-connected families every day, I see both the power
of well-structured benefits the real consequences when those
systems fall short.
I am here not only as an administrator but as a veteran who
has walked this path myself and who now works to make that
journey more navigable for others. I enlisted in the United
States Navy in 2012 as a Tomahawk weapons control operator.
After 2 years of technical school, I deployed aboard the
USS Porter, DDG-78 to the 6th Fleet area of operations. I
managed the Tomahawk weapons system and eventually led the
oversight, maintenance, and casualty control of all combat
weapons systems on board DDG-78.
We operated at a high tempo supporting missions, which
included ballistic missile defense, anti-piracy,
counterterrorism, strategic deterrence, and rapid response
operations.
In 2018, I transitioned out of the Navy and returned to my
home of Tucson, Arizona, with my wife Alexia and our two young
children, Griffin and Ember. We came back to be close to family
while Alexia and I pursued higher education.
I believed I had prepared well for the transition. I
attended the DoD Transition Assistance Program, researched my
benefits, and enrolled in school the same fall I separated. I
quickly realized that I had underestimated the complexity of
post-military life.
Balancing school, family, benefits navigation, addressing
service-connected disabilities, and finding a new identity
outside the uniform was far more difficult than expected,
especially during the isolation and disruption of COVID. The
Veterans Education and Transition Services Program at the
University of Arizona became a lifeline for me. With their
help, I found my footing and I soon joined the team as a VA
work study myself, determined to help others find the same
support that I have received.
That commitment to peer support, community, and shared
resilience is the heart of what we do. Thanks to that
foundation, I earned a Bachelor's degree from the Eller College
of Management.
I then went on to complete a Master's degree from the
School of Natural Resources and the Environment where I
published work on National Environmental Policy Act and
advocated for data-driven approaches to policy implementation.
Shortly after graduation, an opportunity arose to lead the
very program that supported my transition, and I applied and
was honored to be selected as the Director of the vet center.
It remains the most fulfilling work of my career.
Today, I am proud to share that the University of Arizona
was ranked number four best colleges for veterans in the Nation
by Military Times. We support more than 6,000 military-
affiliated students, which is about 15 percent of our total
student body, through a one-stop-shop model that serves
veterans, active duty, National Guard, Reservists, and their
dependents.
Our vet center, working closely with military-connected
benefits and certification centers, provides holistic support
to student veterans and their families. Just a few examples
include benefits navigation, disability accommodations, mental
health resources, career readiness, peer mentorship, social
connection, and community events. We are proud of the work we
do but recognize that there is still much more we can do.
I am grateful to represent this community today and to
discuss legislation that directly impacts their futures. I
welcome your questions and will do my best to provide clear,
thoughtful insight based on both personal experience and
professional service. Thank you for the time and this
opportunity.
[The Prepared Statement Of Blaze Smith Appears In The
Appendix]
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back. Sorry, still
musical chairs over here. Okay, are we good? All right.
Mr. Smith, your written statement will be entered into the
record.
Mr. Schwartzman, you are now recognized for 5 minutes to
deliver your testimony.
STATEMENT OF MATTHEW SCHWARTZMAN
Mr. Schwartzman. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas, and distinguished
members of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, on behalf of
the Reserve Organization of America, the only national military
organization that solely and exclusively supports the Reserve
and National Guard, thank you for the opportunity to testify
today on pending legislation.
While ROA addresses many of these bills under consideration
in a separate statement for the record submitted by ROA policy
fellows Jake Fales and Hannah Miller, my testimony focuses on
what ROA views as the most consequential proposal, H.R. 3387,
the Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember's Experience Act,
or ETS Act, for short.
Mr. Chairman, ROA commends your focus on strengthening the
Transition Assistance Program for all servicemembers and their
families, including those in the Reserve components (RC). The
importance of TAP cannot be overstated.
Studies consistently show that servicemembers and veterans
who fully engage with TAP report higher satisfaction across key
areas of civilian life. When TAP works, it works. If we get it
right we can reduce long-term reliance on other costly VA
programs.
When it falls short, and there are times when it does fall
short, the consequences can be serious and long-lasting. This
is especially true for our Nation's citizen warriors who
navigate military to civilian transitions repeatedly throughout
their careers. Whether coming off active duty orders, returning
to civilian employment, navigating benefits across duty
statuses, or spending decades in the gray area awaiting
retirement benefits, each stage presents its own unique set of
challenges.
Despite this, TAP remains largely built around a single end
of career transition designed primarily with the active duty
force in mind. You do not have to take my word for it.
ROA recently heard from a Marine Corps reservist reflecting
on their TAP experience after returning from a deployment to
Afghanistan. They shared, and I quote, ``The instructors had
zero understanding of the Reserve components. When I asked if
there was any material focused on the RC, I got a blank
stare.''
Anecdotes like this highlight why the ETS Act is so vital.
It modernizes the Transition Assistance Program to reflect the
realities of today's all-volunteer force and prepares it to
meet the evolving needs of tomorrow's warfighters. Most
importantly, it acknowledges that transition is not a one-size-
fits-all experience.
ROA thanks Chairman Van Orden for sponsoring this
legislation and strongly supports key provisions that establish
a tailored TAP track for Reserve component members, provide
flexibility for reservists to waive requirements when
appropriate, authorize repeat participation in TAP pre-
separation counseling, fully integrate spouses into the
transition process, align TAP more closely with VA Solid Start
Program, and create a centralized online hub for transition-
related resources.
We also support the intent behind additional provisions,
such as enhanced one-on-one financial counseling and stronger
departmental oversight of third-party TAP contractors. To
further strengthen these and other provisions, ROA has
submitted a series of constructive recommendations and looks
forward to working collaboratively with the subcommittee to
advance this legislation.
ROA also supports additional legislation on today's docket
related to the post-911 GI Bill, including the Gold Star Family
Education Parity Act and Veteran Education Assistance
Adjustment Act.
That said, I want to be absolutely clear. ROA's highest
education priority remains the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity
Act. Too many reservists serve under duty statuses that fail to
qualify for full GI bill benefits, even when those duties are
essential to our national security. That must change, and it
must change quickly.
To this end, I respectfully ask the subcommittee to review
the addendum submitted with my written testimony, an earlier
statement to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee by ROA
policy fellows Jake Fales and Peter Donlan, which outlines
ROA's full case of support for GI Bill parity.
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, for inviting ROA to testify
today. I look forward to answering any questions you may have.
[The Prepared Statement Of Matthew Schwartzman Appears In
The Appendix]
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back. The written
statement of Mr. Schwartzman will be entered into the record.
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann, you are now recognized for 5 minutes
to deliver your testimony.
STATEMENT OF ASHLYNNE HAYCOCK-LOHMANN
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member
Pappas, and distinguished committee members, the Tragedy
Assistance Program for Survivors is grateful for the
opportunity to testify today on behalf of the more than 120,000
surviving families TAPS is honored to serve. TAPS strongly
supports H.R. 2720, the Gold Star Family Educational Parity
Act, which would sunset Chapter 35 education benefits and move
all qualified recipients to the Fry Scholarship. We thank
Representative Tim Kennedy for introducing this life-changing
legislation earlier this year.
The Fry Scholarship is one of the most important benefits
we provide our surviving families because it allows surviving
spouses a chance to retrain after the loss of their significant
other and surviving children the opportunity to pursue their
dreams with little to no debt.
As the surviving daughter of Army Sergeant First Class
Jeffrey Haycock, who died in the line of duty on April 12th,
2002, I personally benefited from the Fry Scholarship. It made
it possible for me to attend American University because it
covered most of my tuition and housing.
I only qualified because my dad died on active duty post-9/
11. Other kids who I grew up with in the TAPS' Good Grief Camp
were not as fortunate.
Kids like Garrett Schmidt, whose father died in an aviation
accident in 1992, but because his dad died pre-9/11 he was only
eligible for Chapter 35 education benefits. Our losses were
very similar but our benefits are completely different, solely
because of the date our fathers died.
Chapter 35 is an archaic benefit from the 1950's that has
barely been increased and has no tuition assistance. The flat
rate of just over $1,500 per month does not go far in today's
educational system.
Sunsetting Chapter 35 and expanding eligibility for the Fry
scholarship would acknowledge that surviving spouses and
children, whose loved ones died as a result of military
service, all deserve equitable access to education benefits.
Additionally, sunsetting Chapter 35 would help streamline
processes at the VA. Most Chapter 35 claims are processed using
Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL), which is a barely
used Information Technology (IT) system anymore. Instead of
consistently bandaiding a broken system, let us fix the root of
the problem.
Moving all beneficiaries to the Fry Scholarship would
streamline IT and be more efficient for VA.
TAPS will support the Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career
Services Act if it is amended to include all surviving spouses
who receive dependency and indemnity compensation. Our
nonactive duty surviving spouses would benefit just as much
from access to the disabled veterans outreach program at the
Department of Labor.
TAPS supports the Veterans Educational Assistance
Adjustment Act, which would increase the annual book stipend
under the post-911 GI bill, as long as this increase also
includes the Fry Scholarship.
Since the enactment of the post-9/11 GI Bill in 2008, it
has never been increased and tying it to Cost-of-Living
Adjustment (COLA) will help ensure that this significant
benefit keeps pace with inflation. Last, we would be remiss if
we did not highlight our strong opposition to the Expanding
Access for Online Veteran Students Act. By increasing the
monthly housing allowance for online students you would be
penalizing students in rural and low cost of living
communities. I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. Not a
single school in the State of Oklahoma has an MHA at or above
the national average.
The same goes for states like Iowa and Montana and 73
percent of schools in Wisconsin. Increasing the online MHA to
the national average would penalize every single student
veteran in those states. It would also discourage them from
attending programs that have amazing student veteran programs
and would open the door for bad actors who are looking to prey
on students with GI Bill benefits.
This is not a new issue. We have seen this predatory
behavior in the past, and this would incentivize those schools
to do so again. There are fantastic programs that are fully
online, such as the University of Southern California's online
program in Military Social Work, but students can attend while
living in rural Alabama and not incur the high cost of living
and commuter costs associated with in-person attendance.
While the intent of this legislation to provide greater
support for those enrolled in online education is commendable,
we urge the committee to consider the broader consequences of
this proposal.
On behalf of our surviving families, TAPS appreciates the
opportunity to testify today, and I look forward to your
questions.
[The Prepared Statement Of Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann Appears
In The Appendix]
Mr. Van Orden. The gentlelady yields back. Ms. Haycock-
Lohmann's written testimony will be entered into the record.
I now recognize Mr. Hamadeh for 5 minutes for his
questions.
Mr. Hamadeh. Thank you, Chairman, and thank you everybody
for being here today as well.
Mr. Smith, I appreciate your bolo tie. I think everybody
knows you are from Arizona with tie. I do not think I could
wear that here in Congress, I do not think it would turn out
too well though.
Mr. Smith, in your testimony you mentioned your support for
the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act, stating
that, ``the current VA policy creates an inequity of penalizing
students who take classes online.'' Could you elaborate on this
and talk about your own experience pursuing online education?
Mr. Smith. Yes, sir, thank you. You could pull off a bolo
tie, no problem. Yes. When I was in my Bachelor's program I
ended up going online for the second half of my business
administration degree.
The first semester that I was on that online program, we as
a family, my wife and two children, suffered some pretty major
cuts to what our finances could--or what we could cover, right,
because we were only getting 50 percent of what the GI Bill
offers. Because of that, it was a tight semester.
Right after that and maybe the only time, we will say
thankfully when we talk about COVID, is there was a period of
they repealed that issue for the COVID problem. When that
happened we were able to sustain the full family under the full
benefit.
The reality of the situation is that no matter where you
are going to school or what your modality is, that you still
have expenses. Often these families depend on that as a
paycheck to support an entire family.
Mr. Hamadeh. Mr. Smith, in your testimony you mentioned
some key data points that could help veterans going through the
VR&E program find meaningful employment, including tracking job
retention, veteran satisfaction scores, cost per outcome and
long-term wage growth, and more. Could you elaborate on how you
gathered all of these facts and how they could improve the
program?
Mr. Smith. Yes, sir. I was just, kind of, coming up with a
couple of possible ideas that might support better
understanding of the VR&E program and I felt that they, kind
of, captured one of the most important aspects of this, which
is how great is the employment they are getting?
After their degrees are done are they getting jobs in the
career fields that they want to be in? Are they seeing the
results that they needed to see from the program, and is VR&E
successfully facilitating those handoffs into those careers
that they wanted to be in in the first place?
Mr. Hamadeh. In your testimony you mentioned the need for
an increase in book stipend. How much do you think the book
stipend should be increased to account for inflationary costs?
Mr. Smith. I am not sure exactly. I am not too great with
numbers as I should--as my Eller degree should say it is, but
the recommendation of $1,400 it sounds like it keeps up with
the 2025 inflation rate and would probably be very helpful with
regards to supporting all of the expenses of books and things
that are not covered by tuition and fees.
Mr. Hamadeh. That would cover at the University of Arizona
a lot of the veterans who are going there?
Mr. Smith. Absolutely, sir, yes. That would cover
everything they needed.
Mr. Hamadeh. Okay, very good. You are doing great work the
University of Arizona I know. That is my graduate school alma
mater and also where I joined the military and the Reserve
Officers' Training Corp (ROTC) program, so I have a lot of ties
to it.
With that, Chairman, I yield back. Thank you.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentleman yields back.
The chair now recognizes Ms. Ramirez for 5 minutes.
Ms. Ramirez. Thank you, Chairman.
Let me start by saying that while the National Guard is in
the news this week, I think it is fitting we talk about the
unique challenges faced by the National Guard members when it
comes to receiving their benefits in the same way that active
duty members do. That challenge seems to me is an abuse and it
is our responsibility to rectify it.
Before I go into that a little more in detail, I do want to
point out another thing that I think is abuse. The National
Guard's recent deployment in LA by Trump's unilateral decision
is also an abuse, an overreach of power, one that I, frankly,
believe is Congress' responsibility, our responsibility to
rectify.
The National Guard's mission is to support both State and
Federal operations, including disaster response and military
readiness. When they are deployed consistent with that mission,
which again, I would point out they are not in LA, they should
be properly credited for their time and service and earn
benefits at the same rate as their active duty counterparts do.
Yet, national guardsmen, active duty, order cap means that
they are unable to be credited and get the benefits they
rightfully earned.
This question is for you, Mr. Schwartzman. Did I get it
right? Oh, good, good. Can you please share the significance of
capping active duty orders at 179 days?
Mr. Schwartzman. Well, thank you very much for the
question. In the context of the Transition Assistance Program,
for example, current law requires that servicemembers serve at
least 180 consecutive days on active duty to qualify for the
benefit. It is the case, you know, not just for benefits
eligibility on the VA side but also within DoD as well that one
looks at the amount of time spent on active duty orders.
For example, if a reservist is on orders for 180 days or
more they qualify for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). What
we see quite often, frankly, DoD will cut orders with the goal
of achieving cost savings.
Our recommendation, for example, is to amend the
eligibility criteria for participation in TAP from its current
structure to 180 cumulative days of active service, which would
also include time spent on drill weekends and mandatory
training, which is also another restriction under Title 10,
Section 1142.
Ms. Ramirez. Got it. Thank you. I appreciate that response.
I want to shift gears a bit because I have just a little
bit, less than half the time left here. I want to talk about
another aspect of veteran benefits that is really important for
me, and that is making sure that veterans have the ability to
make an informed decision about their education and have as
many options available as possible without sacrificing quality
or accessibility.
I want to be clear that one of the main priorities for me
as a member of this committee has been to ensure that student
veterans are not defrauded by institutions of higher education,
and that continues to be my priority. That is why I have a bill
on that.
Institutions like the University of Arizona have
demonstrated that their online programs can be high quality and
community-centered when implemented thoughtfully and executed
carefully.
Mr. Smith, this question is for you. The University of
Arizona offers many degree programs online. How does it ensure
quality and build community for online students?
Mr. Smith. Thank you. I think one of the major ways in
which the University of Arizona online supports making sure
that we are delivering quality is having active research. We
are an R1 school so everything we are doing is research-
oriented in the first place.
We are also surveying. We are making sure that we are
taking the time to have these communities spaces where they can
feel like they are supported, despite maybe not being in
person.
Having smaller, more intimate course sizes as well, which
supports tailoring programs and paying attention to the
individual as opposed to--yes, thank you.
Ms. Ramirez. Thank you. No, thank you, Mr. Smith. A quick
follow-up question to that, what percentage of the online
students are veterans pursuing degrees full-time?
Mr. Smith. I am going to take a stab at it. I think it is
just about 20 percent online, so we are at I think 7,000 online
students that are military-affiliated.
Ms. Ramirez. Can you verify after? If you can send me----
Mr. Smith. Absolutely.
Ms. Ramirez [continuing]. the exact estimate that would be
great.
Look, many student veterans are enrolling in online
programs and I know that some veterans find that online
education is the option that works best for them. It is just
easier. It is more flexible and allows them to also work as
needed.
Because that may be the most accessible way to pursue their
education or most aligned to veteran preference, I just want to
make sure that I say that we also have to continue to provide
careful oversight of online programs and the education
institutions that provide them.
I think it is really important to note, as my 3 seconds are
left, that access should not come at the expense of quality,
and I want to continue to follow up on that.
With that, Chairman, I yield back.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentlelady yields back.
The chair now recognizes Dr. Dexter for 5 minutes.
Ms. Dexter. Thank you so much, Chair Van Orden, for holding
this hearing and for the opportunity to speak for my bill, the
discussion draft of the Every Veteran Housed Act. I appreciate
and share your commitment to tackling veteran homelessness and
hope to work together on this issue.
In Oregon and across the country, preventing and ending
veteran homelessness is a top priority. Our communities believe
that honoring service means ensuring every veteran has a safe
place to call home.
That is why I am proud to have introduced Every Veteran
Housed, the Act, which removes barriers and streamlines
eligibility standards across VA homelessness programs, making
it easier for veterans experiencing homelessness to access the
full range of support they have earned.
It also expands access to include all who served, whether
active duty or in the National Guard or the Reserve, ensuring
no veteran is left behind when it comes to critical VA housing
resources.
I am very grateful to our witnesses for their support for
this legislation, and so I am just going to have a couple of
questions.
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann, can you speak to the existing gaps in
the veteran homelessness system and why it is so critical that
this bill reaches those who have historically been left behind?
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. Sure. At TAPS the number one reason we
are seeing new survivors coming to us, it alternates between
one and two, is suicide. The largest number of veterans we are
seeing pass away or either illness loss or suicide.
We know that the lack of support for mental health programs
has led to some of this, but also ensuring that our veterans
have, you know, a roof over their head, that they are
supported, that they have a home to go home to, we think that
these would help reduce suicide loss in the veteran space but
also ensuring that all veterans have access to those programs.
Not all veterans who die by suicide died honorably living
at home with all of these things. We see a large correlation
between mental health and suicide and homelessness.
Ms. Dexter. Yes. Thank you so much. I just, so folks are
aware, there is over a 100 percent increase in risk for suicide
for a veteran who is unhoused versus housed, so it is
incredibly important.
Mr. Petrie, do you believe this bill is necessary to ensure
that every veteran is housed?
Mr. Petrie. Thank you for the question, Congresswoman. The
American Legion does believe that this bill will ensure that as
many veterans as possible can be housed and find transitional
housing to transition into a regular housing situation
afterwards.
Ms. Dexter. Thank you.
Finally, Mr. Schwartzman, can you speak to the importance
of the parity this bill provides for the veterans of the
National Guards and Reserve--National Guard and Reserve?
Mr. Schwartzman. Absolutely with pleasure. Well, first of
all, thank you for your sponsorship of this legislation and
your leadership. We appreciate it very much and we do strongly
support the bill.
Reserve and National Guard members, as I allude to in my
testimony, are often left behind when it comes to VA benefits.
I will use the VA Home Loan Program for example, given the
statistic you used, where in order to receive the VA Home Loan
Program you have to have a DD Form 214. Many members of the
Reserve and National Guard actually may not end up receiving
that form.
Now, there are initiatives under way, such as the DD Form
214-1, which may help Reserve members overcome that eligibility
challenge, but I would note that what your legislation does is
it broadens that definition of the word veteran to be more
inclusive of all servicemembers, particularly those in the
Reserve and National Guard.
Ms. Dexter. Great. Thank you so much. I very much
appreciate the panel, your advocacy for our veterans, and your
support. Look forward to working with everyone to get this bill
passed and ensure that no veteran is left behind when it comes
to critical VA resources for housing.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I yield back.
Mr. Van Orden. The gentlelady yields back. In accordance
with committee rule 5 (e), I ask unanimous consent that
Representative Dexter from the great State of Oregon be
permitted to participate in today's subcommittee hearing.
Without objection, so ordered. Thank you, ma'am.
I now recognize myself for 5 minutes. Mr. Petrie, can you
just briefly tell us what would the difference, if we increase
the age, you know, what would that difference make for our
veterans?
Mr. Petrie. With regard to the----
Mr. Van Orden. Full-time online. Full-time online students
get half of the national average.
Mr. Petrie. Yes, sir.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. What would the difference be? If we
look at it from $1,018 compared to $2,237?
Mr. Petrie. Yes, Chairman, and thank you for your question.
The financial change has a wide array of things that can happen
for veterans, including financial stability, better housing
options for themselves and their families, and the ability to
sustain while going to school if the book stipend does not
cover enough supplies for them while in school.
It covers a wide array of options, and we think it is a
very positive change.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. Before I got elected to Congress,
Sarah Jane and I, that is my wife, we were living on my
enlisted retirement. I will tell you right now, another 1,000
bucks a month while I was going to school on an enlisted man's,
you know, VA retirement would be game-changing.
I know a lot of people would sit up here and they are out
there and they make a lot of money. To them 1,000 bucks is
lunch, you know? Not where we come from, right? Is that--were
you a Marine?
Mr. Petrie. Yes, sir.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. You have got a Marine and a Navy guy.
We do not have an Army guy
Schwartzman, what about you, nothing?
Mr. Schwartzman. No former military.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. Let us work on that. You are still
young, sir.
Ms. Ashlynne, or excuse me, Ms. Haycock-Lohmann, last year
your organization received $500,000 in unrestricted funds from
TikTok. That is $500,000 in free advertising. Were you aware
that ByteDance is owned by the Chinese Communist Party when you
receive that money?
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. Yes. We are aware that TikTok is owned
by ByteDance.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. You are aware that your organization
took $500,000 in unrestricted funds and $500,000 in free
advertising from the Chinese Communist Party?
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. We are aware that we took $500,000
from TikTok.
Mr. Van Orden. Were you aware on April 24th, 2024 H.R. 7520
was passed, the Protecting Americans from Foreign adversary
controlled applications act? Are you aware that that passed?
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. Yes.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. Then so in November-November 11th,
2024, you took essentially a million dollars from an
organization that Congress said should not have any business
dealing with anybody. Is that correct?
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. We took the money and that money is
unrestricted. There were no strings attached to it, and they do
not have access to any of our information, but that money has
gone to help our programs for veterans.
Mr. Van Orden. All right. Ma'am, the reason that we passed
that is because that is--what you just said is patently false.
That is not accurate. The 120,000 folks that you have helped
over the years, all of their personal data has been directly
compromised to the Chinese Communist Party. What did you use
the $500,000 unrestricted dollars that you got from the Chinese
Communist Party? Where did you apply those funds?
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. One minute, sir. I was not involved in
the conversations for doing so, but it has gone toward our Good
Grief Camp and for programs to support our surviving children
primarily.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. Are you aware that there is a ton of
other organizations that took money from the Chinese Communist
Party through TikTok, and all of them but you gave it back.
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. That is not correct.
Mr. Van Orden. Excuse me, that is not correct. Which one
did not? Great. Our Wounded Warrior Project and the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) have given the money
back. Okay. Why have you guys not?
Ms. Haycock-Lohmann. That is a decision above my pay grade.
Mr. Van Orden. Okay. I have just got to tell you, I
understand the work that you are doing. I appreciate it.
Sometimes we have to take the longer look at these things.
Understand that the Chinese Communist Party is not our friends
and that many of us who have served in active duty or on active
duty status are putting our lives at risk trying to counter
what the Chinese Communist Party is doing.
I do not know if the good that you are doing, and your
organization is doing good things, I do not know if that
outweighs the fact that you are being funded by our greatest
geopolitical adversary. I would encourage you very, very
strongly to speak to your leadership and clear your books of
that money.
With that, my time has expired. I would like to yield to
Representative Ramirez for any closing statements she may have.
Okay. Hey, I want to thank both panels for coming here.
There is more work to do. We will be holding the Veterans
Affairs Administration accountable. We are going to be holding
them accountable regardless of what administration is in place.
That is because we are not beholden to the VA. We are beholden
to the veteran.
There are people at the VA that have been there for a long
time that seem to have forgotten that the VA is not about their
job and it is not a jobs program. The Veterans Affairs
Administration is going to make a jobs program for veterans,
not from bureaucrats.
I know that Ms. Ramirez and I, we in a very bipartisan way
are hyper-focused on making sure that the people that have
given us our freedom get every single benefit that they have
earned.
With that, this committee stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:41 a.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]
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A P P E N D I X
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Prepared Statements of Witnesses
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Prepared Statement of Liz Clark
Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas, and distinguished
members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss
the legislative proposals presented by the Subcommittee, the Transition
Assistance Program (TAP) and the collaborative relationship between the
Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),
the Department of Labor (DOL), and our other Federal agency partners.
DoD and our partners are working closely to improve the
effectiveness, quality, timeliness, and efficiency of the delivery of
military-to-civilian transition support and services, while enhancing
interoperability and efficiency in our joint operations. We advance
these goals primarily through the Joint Executive Committee (JEC), a
VA-DoD interagency collaborative body co-chaired by the VA Deputy
Secretary and the DoD Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, and
the JEC's subordinate Transition Executive Committee (TEC). As a result
of the JEC and TEC, we moved past the historically bifurcated view that
DoD's role ends when the Service member separates from military
service, to embrace a new appreciation of overlapping interests and
dependent responsibilities across the Service member and Veteran
journey.
Joint Framework for Transition Success
The JEC is responsible for oversight and implementation of the
Military to Civilian Readiness (M2C Ready) framework, which brings all
interagency programs under one overarching umbrella, ensuring that
transitioning Service members receive the necessary interconnected
resources and support throughout the critical 365-days pre-to 365-days
post-separation. The TEC, co-chaired by DoD, VA, and DOL, includes the
Departments of Education and Homeland Security, the Small Business
Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Military
Departments. The TEC is supported by tiered interagency collaborative
groups that include a senior transition steering group, an overarching
transition working group, a DoD/Military Departments transition
coordinating council, and six standing focus area working groups
(Employment, Performance Management, Curriculum, Integrated Reserve
Components, Data Sharing/Information Technology, and Strategic
Communications). In November 2024, the TEC established a subordinate
interagency Mental Health Task Force to identify TEC inter-agency and
intra-agency mental health touchpoints, resources, and tools; and
assess information or data sharing connectivity and/or gaps across the
full transition continuum. The desired outcome is synchronizing and
closing the gap between clinical and non-clinical mental health support
and services.
The JEC and TEC partnerships are best-in-class examples of
effective Federal interagency collaboration and service delivery,
providing leadership synergy and subject matter expertise that
prioritizes our joint strategic goals, identifies challenges, and
guides solutions to ensure continuous, meaningful improvement in TAP.
The JEC and TEC support DoD's mission by ensuring readiness of our
force; this includes preparing Services members and their families for
transition. Over the last 7 years, DoD and our interagency partners
have hosted numerous Military to Civilian Transition Summits that
yielded two key outcomes: (1) we aligned disparate DoD and interagency
transition activities into one overarching transition framework, and
(2) we designated the year before and year after separation as the
``critical transition period.'' These summits led to the development of
the Military to Civilian Readiness (M2C Ready) Framework.
Under the auspices of the JEC and TEC, the Departments began
implementation of a more interconnected and efficient transition
process that aligns military-to-civilian transition activities along a
continuum during the critical 365 days before separation and extending
through the critical 365 days after separation. This 365-pre and 365-
post transition time provides for comprehensive, standardized, and
individualized assessments across DoD, VA, and the military services;
and reinforces development of an individualized transition plan
according to a Service member's unique circumstances.
As the new administration sets its priorities, there is a renewed
commitment to working with our joint partners to establish new, bold,
and transformative initiatives in transition support. The focus will be
on creating a seamless continuum of care and assistance, leveraging
data-driven insights, and strengthening partnerships to address
emerging challenges. This collaborative vision will ensure that Service
members, veterans, and their families receive holistic and adaptive
support as they transition into civilian life. Through the JEC's
stewardship of M2C Ready, and the TEC's collaborative forums, these
priorities will drive forward-looking policies that enhance the long-
term success of the transitioning military community.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
DoD is committed to supporting our Warfighters and their families
as they complete their active military service and navigate the
transition from military to civilian life. TAP is the foundation of
that support, setting the conditions for successful transition by
providing approximately 200,000 Service members each year with a common
level of support--regardless of location, Service, or component--at
over 200 locations around the globe. TAP is proactive in championing
and implementing change; is markedly different and exponentially more
effective than the program of 10, 5, or even 3 years ago; and provides
Service members more comprehensive transition preparation, information,
support, and services than at any time during our Nation's history.
TAP is first and foremost a Military Departments' Secretary and
Commander program executed while Service members are on active duty.
TAP is a statutorily mandated program that Service members are required
to attend upon meeting eligibility requirements. To be eligible, and
thereby required to attend TAP, Service members must have completed 180
days or more of continuous active duty in Title 10 active-duty status,
to include Reserve Component members on active-duty orders. In the case
of an anticipated retirement, pre-separation counseling must commence
as soon as possible during the 24-month period preceding the
anticipated retirement date. In the case of a separation other than a
retirement, pre-separation counseling must commence not later than 365
days before the anticipated date. If a retirement or other separation
is unanticipated with less than 365 before the anticipated retirement
or separation date, or in the event a member of a reserve component is
demobilized or deactivated when, as determined by the Secretary
concerned, operational requirements make the 365-day requirement
unfeasible, pre-separation counseling must begin as soon as possible
within the remaining period of service.
The Secretaries and Commanders are committed to supporting TAP as
both a Service member support program and a strategic readiness
program. DoD supports the Secretaries and Commanders by leading
collaborative interagency development and delivery of TAP. This design
ensures fully informed prioritization and preservation of national
defense strategic, operational, and tactical priorities governing
active duty Service member requirements balanced with effective and
timely TAP delivery supporting individual transition goals. The results
directly support and enhance readiness, transition, recruiting,
retention, reserve component affiliation, and sustainment of the All-
Volunteer Force.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 transformed TAP from a one-size fits all program to an
individualized approach providing comprehensive, holistic, timely
transition support focused on the Service member's needs and transition
goals. Groups or cohorts transition on common timelines, but military-
to-civilian transition is an individual activity. The unique personal
circumstances, experiences, needs, and post-transition goals of each
Service member determine whether that Service member requires
employment, education, entrepreneurial, financial, housing, healthcare,
or peer-to-peer support during their transition.
Today, TAP is agile and dynamic, and ensures both flexibility and
relevance supporting Service member achievement of individual
transition goals. Tailoring of the transition process to individual
needs and goals provides flexibility. Service members receive
information and resources that best support their individualized
preparation for transition. Relevance, predicated on preparation for
civilian life, ensures Service members' buy-in and active
participation. Flexibility, relevance, and individualization ensure TAP
works and empowers transitioning Service members to become successful
veterans who attain their goals and reach their potential in their
chosen civilian career paths, and in so doing, strengthens their local
communities and the Nation.
Today's TAP is an individualized, robust program with alternate
pathways and multiple levels of assistance. At each step of the
process, Service members have access to trained counselors who guide
the Service member and tailor the program, allowing Service members to
be in control of their transition and use programs, resources, and
information that fit their specific needs and align with their post-
transition goals.
TAP Initial Counseling
For Service members with an anticipated retirement or separation,
the TAP journey begins with an Initial Counseling (IC) session
initiated no later than 365 days prior to their separation or
retirement. DoD strongly encourages Service members with an anticipated
retirement to initiate IC as soon as possible during the 24 months
preceding retirement. Service members with an unanticipated separation
or retirement initiate IC as soon as possible within their remaining
period of service.
In 2022, the Military Departments developed Corrective Action Plans
(CAP) to improve IC timeliness. The CAPs have already produced marked
improvement with 65 percent of Service members meeting IC timeliness
requirements in 2023, including 52 percent of those with anticipated
separations or retirements beginning TAP no later than 365 days prior
to separation or retirement. The CAPs include updates to internal
Service administrative regulations and changes to the Inspector General
checklist to provide for stricter grading criteria on timeliness. CAPs
also include marketing to Service members to ensure understanding,
training for commanders and senior leaders on the requirement as well
as the benefits of attending TAP early, and additional training for TAP
counselors. The full impact of implementing the CAP changes will not be
manifested in the data until 2026 at the earliest.
During the individualized counseling session with a trained TAP
counselor, the Service member completes an Individual Self-Assessment
and begins development of an Individual Transition Plan (ITP). Based on
the self-assessment, counseling, and ITP, the TAP counselor assigns the
Service member to a transition tier level. The assigned tier level--one
(minimal assistance), two (medium assistance), or three (most
assistance)--determines the transition assistance a Service member
needs. Each individual Service member's tier assignment details which
TAP components, courses, 2-day tracks, and Career Readiness Standards
are mandatory.
TAP Pre-Separation Brief
Once the IC and assessment are complete, the Service member attends
the Pre-Separation Brief (Pre-Sep). Pre-Sep informs the Service member
of various services, benefits, and resources available during and after
transition. The Pre-Sep also familiarizes the Service member with
available resources and content within the TAP courses. Pre-Sep
provides the Service member with the knowledge and flexibility to
determine when to use services based on their individual needs and
transition timeline. October 2024 updates to Pre-Sep included addition
of information on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition
Service programs and an interactive pdf resource guide.
TAP Courses and Tracks
During TAP, Service members complete five core courses: Managing
Your Transition, Military Occupational Code Crosswalk, Financial
Planning for Transition, VA Benefits and Services, and DOL Employment
Fundamentals for Career Transition. In 2024, the VA Benefits and
Services course incorporated participation by Veteran Service
Organizations identified by the VA.
Along with the core curriculum, TAP includes four 2-day workshops
(tracks) to provide focused information and resources aligned with
individual post-transition goals. The four tracks are Employment,
Managing Your (MY) Education, Vocational (Career and Credential
Exploration), and Entrepreneurship (Boots to Business). During initial
counseling and regardless of their designated tier, Service members
must elect a track based on individual post-transition goals and are
encouraged to attend the track-specific course.
Only Service members designated as Tier Level 3 are required to
attend the elected track. In 2022, the Military Departments developed
Corrective Action Plans (CAP) to increase Tier 3 track attendance. The
CAPs have already produced marked improvement with 83 percent (29.8K of
35.9K) of Tier 3 Service members attending a track in 2023. The CAPs
include training for TAP counselors; reports for commanders identifying
Service members who had attended and those who need to attend a track;
and inclusion of track attendance in Inspector General checklists. The
full impact of implementing the CAP changes will not be manifested in
the data until 2026 at the earliest.
Military Departments may exempt Service members designated as Tier
Level 2 from track attendance based on the results of their IC and
self-assessment. Service members determined as Tier Level 1 are exempt
from track attendance. In 2023 over fifty thousand Tier 1 and Tier 2
Service members attended a track (50.1K of 135K). Regardless of tier
designation, DoD encourages every Service member to attend any or all
the tracks in preparation for transition.
TAP Capstone
Conducted no later than 90 days before transition from active duty,
Capstone is the final component of TAP. During Capstone, the Commander,
or Commander's designee, reviews the Service member's transition
journey to determine completion of all applicable components and
individual preparedness for transition. Service members identified as
needing additional support require a warm handover by the Commander or
designee. These warm handovers may include connection to Military
OneSource for peer support, VA for housing assistance, or DOL for
employment assistance. A warm handover creates a connection between the
Service member and the appropriate partner or agency with the resources
to assist in transition and beyond. Service members may also request a
warm handover from the TAP counselor if they have a concern with their
preparedness for transition beyond any identified by the TAP Counselor
or Commander.
TAP Assessment
DoD uses the Transition Assistance Participant Assessment (TAPA) to
capture Service member experiences and knowledge gained throughout the
TAP process. TAPA, along with assessments from both governmental and
non-governmental entities, allows DoD to evaluate TAP, the perception
of TAP, and the quality of the counseling and instruction provided. The
TAPA also captures basic demographics, such as Service, component,
grade, length of service, location, and sex. Participation in the TAPA
is voluntary and anonymous. However, DoD encourages Service members to
complete the TAPA after each TAP course to ensure continuous program
improvement. 2023 TAPA results demonstrate that Service members
perceived TAP as valuable and of high quality. 89 percent understand
how to access post-transition resources; 87 percent plan to use what
they've learned; and 86 percent feel prepared to meet their transition
goals.
TAPA also provides Service members the opportunity to self-identify
barriers to TAP, with a 3-year average of only 1 percent of respondents
perceiving a barrier (e.g., not allowed time away from work duties to
attend TAP). While many operational, administrative, and individual
factors contribute to this small percentage, DoD, Service Secretaries,
and Commanders are focused on mitigating, reducing, and eliminating
barriers.
Future TAP Enterprise Individual Self-Assessment
In 2024, DoD completed a year-long pilot at 17 military
installations of an Enterprise Individual Self-Assessment (EISA) to
replace the current Individual Self-Assessment. EISA is a standardized,
evidence-based self-assessment tool that will assist in determining the
likelihood the Service member will face major readjustment, health
care, employment, or other transition-related challenges across nine
life domains: social & relational, resiliency, hope, financial,
employment, housing, sense of belonging, mental health resource
awareness, and physical health resource awareness. The Military
Departments will administer EISA twice, during IC at the beginning and
during Capstone at the end of TAP, to inform and improve counseling,
risk mitigation, support connections, and warm handover protocols. DoD
contracted development of a modernized transition and reintegration
information technology capability that will support EISA worldwide
implementation in 2026.
Comprehensive Transition Support Across DoD, VA, and DOL
SkillBridge
The highly popular SkillBridge program permits interested Service
members to gain valuable civilian employment skills by providing job
training, including apprenticeship programs, with defense industrial
base employers as well as Federal, State, local, and private sector
employers. In return, these businesses have access to the world's most
highly trained and motivated workforce and can evaluate participants'
suitability for future employment within their company. The program is
voluntary, with the scope and individual participation defined by
Service operational needs, force structure policy, and Service member
interest.
In 2023, DoD realigned SkillBridge within the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs to
improve program stability, governance, evaluation, and management.
Those efforts include enhanced information systems, data collection,
and data analysis. The DoD is conducting employer and stakeholder
outreach engagements to ensure that the next evolution of SkillBridge
is fully informed by DoD, Military Departments, Service member, and
industry partner assessments and requirements.
inTransition
The inTransition program is a free, confidential program that
offers specialized assistance for active duty Service members, National
Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to
mental health care during transition periods, rather than when they
return from a deployment, relocate to another assignment, or prepare to
leave military service. This program provides critical warm hand-offs
to VA, local resources, and the Military Crisis Line in support of the
transitioning Service member.
Military OneSource
For those who are newly separated from service, Military OneSource
offers resources to ensure a successful transition period; those
resources are available up to 365 days from the end of their service.
The range of support includes non-medical counseling, peer-to-peer
counseling, education and financial counseling, and support for
spouses. VA's Post-9/11 Transition and Case Management program partners
with Military OneSource to ensure transitioning Service members and new
Veterans receive clinical care coordination.
VA Solid Start
As a result of DoD, VA, and DOL's collaboration on M2C Ready, the
VA's Solid Start program was launched in 2019. Solid Start contacts
recently separated Service members at three critical points during the
first year of transition (0-90, 91-180, and 181-365, days post release
from active duty) in order to achieve early and consistent contact and
support the transition to civilian life--from help getting a home loan,
to health care, to returning to work, to mental health support.
Additionally, DoD data provided to Solid Start assists VA in
prioritizing outreach to recently separated Service members meeting
certain risk factors during their last year of active duty, lowering
the barrier to accessing care and supporting a successful transition to
VA mental health care treatment. VA Solid Start refers Veterans with
health care needs to the Post-9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program
who ensure individualized, comprehensive health care coordination.
VA Liaison Program
VA Liaisons are nurses and social workers who coordinate the
transfer of health care from DoD to VA for service members as they exit
the military. Forty-eight (48) VA Liaisons for Healthcare, 43 onsite
and 5 regional, serving DoD installations and Military Treatment
Facilities (MTFs) coordinate the transition of health care from MTFs
worldwide to a VA health care facility. VA Liaisons collaborate with
DoD care managers and treatment teams regarding VA resources, inform
the service member of their VA health care eligibility and benefits,
and facilitate registration into VA initial appointment scheduling.
VA Post-9/11 Transition and Case Management
Every VA medical center has a specialized Post-9/11 Military2VA
(M2VA) Case Management (CM) team ready to welcome service members as
they transition from service to Veteran status. Post-9/11M2VA CM teams
are subject matter experts at coordinating VA care, services, and
benefits, as well as leveraging community resources to provide
comprehensive, individualized case management services. The Post-9/11
M2VA team assist service members, their families, and caregivers with
navigating the VA health care system, providing education on available
resources, facilitating care in the event of a relocation to another VA
facility, and support with reaching community partners.
DOL Employment Navigator and Partnership Program (ENPP)
In response to feedback from Veterans who stated that, while their
TAP classroom experience was educational, they desired a more
personalized approach, DOL developed, piloted, and implemented the
ENPP. DOL Employment Navigators provide one-on-one, tailored career
guidance and job seeking skills support to transitioning Service
members and their spouses, as well as referrals to vetted partner
organizations. ENPP is currently available at 46 military installations
worldwide and is expanding.
States: An Integral Partner in Transition
State Department of Veterans Affairs (SDVA) offices play a critical
role in transition as they have been tasked to specifically manage
Veterans' affairs on behalf of their Governor and carry out the
responsibility for Veteran services and programs in their respective
states or territories. Additionally, SDVA's welcome Veterans and
connect them to Federal and State benefits, support, high-quality care,
and recognition they have earned. The TAP curriculum includes
introductory information and links to SDVAs for 54 states and
territories and the District of Columbia.
Recognizing the importance of data, in both outreach and connecting
Veterans to services and resources, DoD updated our data-sharing
Memoranda of Understanding with SDVAs. In addition to sharing DD Form
214: Certificate of Release or Discharge from active duty data with
SDVAs, Service members can also share contact information from the DoD
Form 2648: PreSeparation Counseling Checklist with SDVAs up to a year
prior to separation, providing SDVAs the ability to proactively engage
with and support Service members' transition experience.
Conclusion
As illustrated in our recent Report to Congress and highlighted in
this statement, the Military Departments achieved significant
improvements in IC timeliness and Tier 3 track attendance.
Additionally, the number of Service members reporting a perceived
barrier to TAP remains low, demonstrating Commanders' commitment,
prioritization, and support of TAP and their transitioning Service
members. DoD will work with the Military Departments to ensure
continuous improvement across TAP and are confident that improvements
evidenced in 2023 will continue and further validate the positive steps
the Military Departments put into place.
Thank you again for the opportunity to discuss the Transition
Assistance Program. Military to civilian transition is an ever-
evolving, complex, and multi-faceted environment in which the diversity
of individual goals equals the number of transitioning Service members.
TAP is and must remain adaptive while vigilantly maintaining
programmatic focus on three foundational and complimentary tenets:
effective counseling, Service member buy-in, and meaningful support
connections throughout the transition period. Correspondingly, TAP will
sustain emphasis on an individualized approach that best meets each
Service member's post-transition goals. To that end, TAP will remain
innovative, proactive, transparent, and collaborative. DoD, working
closely with the Service members, Military Departments, interagency
partners, and Congress, will continuously improve transition services
while building upon current successes to achieve ever-improving
outcomes for Service members through TAP.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I thank you, the Ranking Member, and the
members of this Subcommittee for your outstanding and unwavering
support of the men and women who proudly wear the uniform in defense of
our great Nation.
Prepared Statement of Nick Pamperin
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Prepared Statement of Andrew Petrie
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Prepared Statement of Blaze Smith
Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas, and distinguished
members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear
before you today. As someone who works directly with student veterans,
transitioning servicemembers, and military-connected families every
day, I witness both the power of well-structured benefits--and the
consequences when those systems fall short. I'm here not just as an
administrator, but as a veteran who has navigated these transitions
firsthand, and who now works to make the path clearer for those who
come next.
As the Director of the Veterans Education and Transition Services
Center at the University of Arizona (UA), I share an earnest desire to
care for our military members who have sacrificed so much on behalf of
the American people. As such, I will do my utmost to provide useful
feedback on the slate of legislative proposals under consideration
today, and I appreciate the committee's efforts to review and improve
these programs that impact servicemembers at critical moments in their
path of separation from active duty.
The University of Arizona: Military Service and Support
The University of Arizona, established in 1885 as Arizona's land-
grant institution under the Morrill Act of 1862, has a longstanding
commitment to serving military-affiliated students. This commitment is
deeply rooted in our history and continues to be a cornerstone of our
mission today.
During World Wars I and II, UA played a pivotal role in training
over 11,000 officers through its Navy and Army ROTC programs. These
programs provided essential training in artillery tactics and aviation,
contributing significantly to our Nation's defense efforts.
Our campus honors this rich military heritage through several
memorials, for example:
Berger Memorial Fountain: Located in front of Old Main,
this fountain was dedicated in 1920 by General John J. Pershing to
commemorate the 13 UA students who lost their lives in World War I.
Each of the fountain's 13 spouts represents one of these fallen
students.
USS Arizona Bell & Memorial: Housed in the Student Union
Memorial Center, the 1,820-pound bell is one of two salvaged from the
USS Arizona after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Below, the University has
constructed a moving memorial: a 608-foot outline of the Arizona on the
University Mall, with a bridge spanning its width. Along the bridge,
the names of all 1,177 sailors and Marines killed aboard the Arizona
are cast in bronze--a solemn and powerful tribute to their sacrifice.
Today, the University of Arizona continues to support military-
affiliated students through comprehensive programs and services:
Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS) Center:
Serving over 6,000 military-connected students, the VETS Center offers
a one-stop-shop model providing resources such as benefit navigation,
disability accommodations, mental health referrals, career readiness,
peer mentorship, and community events.
ROTC Programs: UA hosts all three ROTC branches--Army,
Navy, and Air Force--continuing our tradition of preparing future
military leaders in award-winning ROTC programs
Military Connected Benefits and Certifications (MCBC): A
dedicated branch of the Office of the Registrar, MCBC supports all
students using VA and military education benefits. The team ensures
timely processing and personalized guidance, helping students maximize
their benefits and stay on track. UA also waives the undergraduate
application fee for active-duty military and veterans, and proudly
participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, covering additional tuition
costs for eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients.
The University of Arizona also maintains partnerships with nearby
military installations, including Fort Huachuca and Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base, facilitating collaboration and support for service members
pursuing higher education to include distance learning programs.
This enduring commitment to our military community reflects the
University of Arizona's dedication to honoring the past while
empowering the future of our Nation's service members and their
families.
H.R. XXXX, Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act
This bill represents a critical step toward ensuring all veterans
receive equitable housing support, regardless of how they pursue their
education.
Currently, Post-9/11 GI Bill students who are enrolled exclusively
online receive only half the national average Monthly Housing Allowance
(MHA) regardless of their actual location or cost of living. But cost
of living is not virtual. Online students still pay rent, utilities,
and living expenses in the same cities as in-person students. This
policy creates inequity in benefit distribution and penalizes veterans
for their educational format, not their financial need.
It is important to recognize that a student's chosen institution
might not represent the location in which they reside. For example, a
student living in rural Oklahoma and enrolled in an online program
based in New York would currently receive MHA based on the school's zip
code, rather than the zip code of the veteran's physical residence.
Aligning the MHA payment with the veteran's zip code would ensure a
more accurate and equitable housing benefit while reducing the risk of
waste or overpayment.
For many veterans--especially those with disabilities, caregiving
responsibilities, full-time jobs, or who live in rural or underserved
areas--online learning is the only viable option. Reducing MHA for this
group creates an unnecessary barrier, particularly for veterans who
already face heightened risk of housing insecurity. Educating
veterans--regardless of modality--is essential to workforce readiness
and national competitiveness. When veterans can complete their degrees
without struggling to meet basic housing needs, they are better
positioned to transition into stable, well-paying jobs that benefit our
economy and communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress temporarily authorized full
MHA for online students, recognizing the very inequity this bill now
seeks to fix.
Since then, a growing number of accredited public and private
universities now offer high-quality, fully online programs. The trend
is accelerating, but Federal policy has yet to keep pace. Basing
housing support on whether a veteran is enrolled for in-person
instruction penalizes veterans who are embracing 21st-century learning
models.
Research is demonstrating that an online learning modality cannot
only be comparable to an in-person learning environment, but in some
cases, online students even outperform their in-person peers.
A U.S. Department of Education meta-analysis found that
students in online environments often perform as well or better than
their in-person peers.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Chin, Ainee, et al. ``The Effectiveness of Online Learning in
Higher Education: A Systematic Review During COVID-19.'' Frontiers in
Education, vol. 8, 2023, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/
feduc.2023.1334153/full.
A study published in Science Advances found that online
STEM students outperformed classroom learners by 7 percent (Chirikov et
al.).\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Chirikov, Igor, et al. ``Online Education Platforms Scale
College STEM Instruction with Equivalent Learning Outcomes at Lower
Cost.'' Science Advances, vol. 6, no. 15, Apr. 2020, https://
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aay5324.
Medical students in e-learning formats have exceeded the
performance of in-person cohorts on standardized tests (Mortagy et
al.).\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Mortagy, Yasmine, et al. ``Online versus In-Person Learning in
a Medical School Course: A Comparative Study.'' BMC Medical Education,
vol. 23, no. 1, 2023, https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/
10.1186/s12909-023-04159-7.
The Online Learning Journal links emotional connection and social
presence online to stronger academic engagement and outcomes
(Richardson et al.).\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Richardson, Jennifer C., et al. ``Social Presence in Online
Learning: A Critical Review of the Literature.'' Online Learning
Journal, vol. 21, no. 3, 2017, https://
olj.onlinelearningconsortium.org/index.php/olj/article/view/1211.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online education offers both flexibility and community via group
projects, study networks through virtual forums, and direct engagement
with peers and instructors.
H.R. 3579, Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
This proposal introduces a procedural gate that delays the
initiation of services until a complete application is submitted. This
shift from the current directive may streamline internal processes and
promote consistency in documentation, however, it also risks creating
access barriers, particularly for veterans who are unfamiliar with VA
procedures or who lack support during the application phase.
To mitigate potential delays or drop-off, it is imperative that
veterans receive clear, accessible guidance when submitting required
information. The system must be user-friendly and support veterans in
completing applications correctly the first time, avoiding unnecessary
delays in benefit access.
Furthermore, the proposal to reduce the benefit period defined
under 38 U.S.C. Sec. 3117 to 365 days--making it consistent with other
employment readiness programs--is reasonable and may help streamline
counselor caseloads. However, it must be emphasized that streamlining
alone will not address the systemic strain placed on VR&E staff.
During a recent roundtable hosted by Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Collins with representatives from the Southern Arizona VA
Healthcare System, the VR&E Program Director, and student veterans from
the University of Arizona, several key concerns emerged:
Student veterans reported waiting months to hear back
from a VR&E counselor.
VR&E program leaders confirmed that counselor-to-veteran
ratios are well above the recommended standard--some exceeding 200
veterans per counselor.
Staffing shortages were acknowledged as a top operational
priority by VA leadership.
While trimming program duration may modestly reduce counselor
workload, it cannot replace the need for more counselors and expanded
capacity. A robust and effective VR&E system requires sufficient human
capital to ensure timely, personalized support for veterans navigating
career transitions.
In this capacity, student veterans have also expressed concerns
about inconsistent decision-making within the VR&E program. For
example, one veteran may receive approval for certain benefits, while
another in a nearly identical situation may be denied. These
discrepancies suggest a need for more standardized guidelines and
consistent implementation of policies across the program.
To ensure the long-term success and accountability of the VR&E
program, the existing provisions for reporting regional office
performance, wage outcomes, and counselor wait times are essential.
However, to fully understand the impact of this critical program and
drive continuous improvement, it is critical to also expand the data
collection and reporting requirements to include several additional
metrics.
These data points will inform program performance and support
veterans in achieving sustained, meaningful employment:
1. Employment Retention and Job Alignment
Track whether veterans remain employed 12 and 24 months after
completing the program, and whether those jobs align with their field
of training. This gives a more complete picture of long-term program
success.
2. Credential and Degree Completion Rates
Include the percentage of VR&E participants who successfully
complete degrees, certifications, or licenses as part of their
rehabilitation plan. Completion is a key predictor of future
employment.
3. Time to Plan Approval
In addition to measuring wait times for initial counselor contact,
it's important to report the average time from application to final
plan approval. Delays at this stage often stall the entire process.
4. Drop-off and Administrative Closure Rates
Monitor how many veterans disengage before completing the intake
phase and categorize reasons for administrative case closures. This
will help identify systemic access barriers.
5. Veteran Satisfaction Scores
Collect and report feedback from participants regarding counseling
services, clarity of communication, and perceived value of the program.
This qualitative data adds important context to raw metrics.
6. Cost-Per-Outcome and Long-Term Wage Growth
Report the average cost per veteran who achieves sustainable
employment and include longer-term wage tracking. This demonstrates
return on investment and justifies program funding.
7. Utilization of Virtual Services
As we expand telehealth and online education, it's vital to know
how many veterans are accessing VR&E virtually. This helps assess reach
and modern service delivery.
Together, these expanded metrics will help ensure the VR&E program
remains veteran-centric, outcomes-driven, and fully accountable to both
taxpayers and the men and women it serves.
H.R. 3387, Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember's Experience Act
This legislation takes significant steps to improve the Transition
Assistance Program (TAP), including extending eligibility timelines,
increasing counseling duration, strengthening interagency coordination,
and expanding access for military spouses and members of the Reserve
components. These are critical and welcome reforms that acknowledge the
central role that TAP plays in preparing servicemembers for civilian
success.
While this act rightfully expands access to TAP, it is also
important to prioritize its content, as the current program lacks
relevant, comprehensive, and actionable information during a pivotal
life transition. TAP must evolve beyond resume workshops. Today's
servicemembers need:
Robust guidance on VA benefits and services, especially
in navigating complex systems like healthcare, disability compensation,
and educational benefits;
Exposure to programs like SkillBridge, which offer real-
world career training but are too often underexplained or unevenly
implemented;
Clear steps for pursuing higher education, including how
to apply, transfer credits, and access academic accommodations; and
And modern employment preparation that goes beyond basic
resume-writing to include networking, interviewing, LinkedIn profiles,
and career exploration.
This bill lays an excellent foundation by mandating regular
curriculum reviews and unannounced audits and expanding access to
repeat counseling and spouse inclusion. This is also a great
opportunity to continue data-driven analysis to ensure that the program
remains both relevant and effective.
It is important that TAP is robust enough to empower servicemembers
not just to ``get a job,'' but to thrive through education,
entrepreneurship, or service. That begins with equipping them with
relevant, up-to-date tools and knowledge, delivered by subject-matter
experts who understand the full spectrum of post-military
opportunities.
HR 1965, Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act
This bill is a much needed and timely adjustment that directly
supports the academic success of student veterans by increasing the
annual stipend for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational
costs under the post-9/11 GI Bill.
The current $1,000 annual stipend has remained unchanged while the
cost of educational materials has steadily increased. Textbooks, lab
equipment, software subscriptions, and specialized supplies--especially
for STEM and technical programs--can far exceed that amount. Failure to
keep pace with inflation erodes the value of the benefit veterans
earned.
For many student veterans, this stipend makes the difference
between showing up prepared--or falling behind from day one. The
proposed increase to $1,400, with an annual cost-of-living adjustment
tied to the Consumer Price Index, ensures that benefits remain relevant
and responsive to economic realities. This is a high-impact improvement
that requires minimal structural change but delivers real value to
veterans and reinforces our collective commitment to ensuring their
success in higher education.
H.R. 2720, Gold Star Family Education Parity Act.
This bill reflects a powerful and long-overdue step toward honoring
the sacrifices of Gold Star families, especially surviving spouses and
children, by expanding their access to critical educational benefits.
By increasing the eligibility period and aligning benefits for
surviving dependents with other education programs like the Fry
Scholarship and DEA, this legislation recognizes that grief, healing,
and transition don't follow strict timelines. It gives Gold Star family
members the time, flexibility, and support they need to pursue degrees,
credentials, and careers on their own terms.
This bill is not only compassionate--it's cost-effective. By
consolidating and aligning benefits under a more unified structure, the
legislation may reduce administrative overhead and improve efficiency
across education benefit programs.
H.R. 3481, Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025.
This bill takes a much-needed step toward modernizing how veterans
access and manage their educational benefits by enabling secure, opt-in
electronic communication with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Paper-based systems are outdated, inefficient, and burdensome for both
veterans and VA staff.
This bill recognizes what we already know: digital access is
essential to equity, speed, and clarity in benefit delivery. Allowing
veterans to receive time-sensitive information about their education
benefits via email or secure platforms gives them the ability to
respond faster, stay better informed, and avoid costly delays.
This bill helps the VA catch up to standard practice while still
preserving the right for veterans to opt out if they prefer paper. It's
a low-cost, high-impact improvement that will benefit students,
administrators, and the system.
Discussion Draft: To amend title 38, United States Code, to limit the
amount of time the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs may extend the period
of a vocational rehabilitation program for a veteran.
It is important to advance foundational issues along with advancing
structural limitations on the length of rehabilitation plans. For
example, as discussed in previous hearings and roundtables, many VR&E
offices are operating far above the recommended counselor-to-veteran
ratio, often exceeding 200:1. Until the program is fully staffed,
limiting the duration of programming may risk pushing veterans out of
the system prematurely--not because they're ready, but because
counselors simply can't keep up.
Additionally, before enacting time-based limitations, we should
invest in data collection and performance analysis. We need to
understand:
How often extensions are used, and why.
Which veteran populations benefit most from extended
plans.
Whether long-duration programs correlate with better or
worse outcomes.
Only then can informed decisions be made that truly balance
efficiency with effectiveness. While program accountability is
important, any shift in VR&E extension limits must be paired with
measures to ensure proper staffing and data infrastructure.
Closing
It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to testify
before a subcommittee devoted to the care and success of our Nation's
most cherished population--its veterans. I am humbled by the
opportunity to contribute and proud to lend my voice to a body that
does such meaningful and lasting work. Thank you for your commitment to
building a system that serves veterans with fairness and foresight.
Prepared Statement of Matthew Schwartzman
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Prepared Statement of Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Statements for the Record
----------
Prepared Statement of National Association of State Approving Agencies
Introduction
Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas and members of the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, on behalf of the fifty-three-
member State agencies of the National Association of State Approving
Agencies (NASAA) and their over 220 staff members, thank you for the
opportunity to provide comments on legislation pertaining to veterans'
education and training.
H.R. 1965 - ``Veterans Education Assistance Adjustment Act''
This bill would increase the book stipend from $1,000 to $1,400 for
veterans using Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits and would provide
for annual increases for the stipend tied to the Consumer Price Index.
The cost of books has risen dramatically since the book stipend was
established in 2009, when the Post-9/11 GI Bill was signed. NASAA sees
this as a needed and important improvement to the GI Bill.
NASAA supports this bill.
H.R. 3387-``Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember's Experience
(ETS) Act''
This bill seeks to strengthen the Transition Assistance Program,
something which is sorely needed. It does so by requiring minimum
periods for counseling, allows repeat attendance by separating service
members when space is available and makes separating service members
eligible up to 540 days prior to separation. The bill also provides
professional financial counseling, establishes a pilot program for
military spouses, extends transitional health care coverage from 180 to
270 days, and standardizes the TAP pathways across all services. It
also requires improved coordination and information sharing between the
Departments of Defense (DOD), Veterans Affairs, and Labor, along with
annual reporting and audits of TAP delivery. Finally, it wisely creates
a searchable VA website for recently separated veterans to find local
support within the states, facilitating a smoother handoff to State
agencies to ensure a more successful transition to civilian life. NASAA
applauds the meaningful enhancement and comprehensive nature of this
legislation.
NASAA strongly supports this bill.
Discussion Draft - ``Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act''
This bill would increase the monthly housing stipend for students
in approved online programs of study approved by State Approving
Agencies (SAA) to the full national average rate. Currently, students
enrolled in distance learning programs receive a housing stipend rate
that is equal to half the national average.
Veterans are often non-traditional students, many of whom need to
work full or part-time jobs to support their families while attending
higher education institutions. Recent studies have suggested that many
veterans seek out programs that offer online or hybrid options due to
the greater flexibility they offer. Furthermore, some have service-
connected disabilities that make online learning their most viable
option for pursuing higher education. As the gatekeepers of quality,
State Approving Agencies have long had concerns about online education
and training in certain disciplines, but we also recognize the far-
reaching innovations and improvements which have taken place in the
sphere of online education over the past decade, some as a result of
the COVID crisis. Finally, one of the early arguments against the full
housing stipend was that online students were not using residence halls
and/or on-campus facilities, which meant they did not need the full
housing stipend as they were likely living at home or somewhere without
additional housing costs. Almost two decades later we know this is
generally not the case and the law needs to reflect present day
circumstances and recognize that most online student veterans also are
paying rent and living expenses. Likewise, NASAA appreciates the
argument that the national average may be higher than the full-time
stipend in some cases, resulting in some online students receiving a
higher living stipend than some residential students. This could be
addressed by changing the language to read that students would receive
the higher of either the national average OR the full-time resident
rate at the school. Regardless, we no longer believe it is appropriate
to penalize veterans who choose and can benefit from approved
educational programs delivered online. Especially considering that for
some veterans and their families, this may be their best and most
reasonable way to achieve their higher education goal.
Finally, with increased oversight from the State Approving Agency,
as provided in the risk-based survey model and supervisory visits, we
feel that we can ensure that bad actors do not take advantage of
veterans. To ensure this remains the case, we ask that Congress insist
that the VA work closely with State Approving Agencies so that risk-
based surveys (RBS) are conducted efficiently and effectively as was
the case in the original RBS model developed by NASAA.
NASAA supports this bill.
HR 2954 - ``Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act of 2025''
This bill permits the VA to act in the role of the State Approving
Agency to approve multi-state apprenticeship programs and ``for other
purposes.'' As written, it would place the approval of truck driver
training programs/apprenticeships solely in the hands of the Department
of Veterans Affairs and as such, removes the critical authority and
action from the States and their approval experts, the State Approving
Agencies. This legislation, while seemingly well meaning, causes NASAA
great concern in its present form. As drafted, this bill sweeps away
vital protections provided to veterans in the important Federal
partnership requiring State approval of education and training programs
for veterans. Given that the VALOR Act is already law and provides for
the approval of multi-state apprenticeships, we fail to see a
compelling need for this legislation. With current challenges to proper
approval and oversight, as well as the need to further strengthen SAA
approval requirements and improve timely communication with the VA, we
maintain that we should not remove the important responsibility of
approval and oversight from State Approving Agencies.
NASAA strongly opposes this bill in its present form.
Information Required by Rule XI2(g)(4) of the House of Representatives
Pursuant to Rule XI2(g)(4) of the House of Representatives, NASAA has
not received any Federal grants in Fiscal Year 2025, nor has it
received any Federal grants in the two previous Fiscal Years.
NASAA has not received payments or contracts from any foreign
governments in the current year or preceding two calendar years.
Prepared Statement of Veterans Education Success
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Prepared Statement of Paralyzed Veterans of America
Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas, and members of the
subcommittee, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), would like to thank
you for the opportunity to submit our views on some of the legislation
being discussed before the subcommittee. No group of veterans
understand the full scope of benefits and care provided by the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) better than PVA members, veterans
who have acquired a spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D). We
appreciate the opportunity to share our views on some of the
legislation being discussed today.
H.R. 2791, to increase the maximum amount of housing loan guaranty
entitlement available to certain veterans under the laws administered
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
PVA supports this bill, which would increase the guaranty amount
protected by the VA, allowing veterans to have greater purchasing power
when it comes to buying their first home. As we face a housing crisis
across the country, veterans need to be able to compete when purchasing
a house. By increasing the amount available through VA's home loan
program, veterans will have a greater opportunity to buy a suitable
residence that meets their needs.
H.R. 3031, the Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act
The Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP), housed within the
American Job Centers across the country, is an employment program run
by the Department of Labor which is funded through the Jobs for
Veterans State Grant Program. The intent of the DVOP is to offer
dedicated career assistance to eligible veterans. Many DVOPs currently
offer employment support to surviving spouses, but it is not authorized
in statute. Congress should do everything it can to reduce the
unemployment rate for military spouses, which has exceeded more than 20
percent since 2021.\1\ PVA supports codifying the expanded eligibility
for DVOP services to surviving spouses and the spouses of currently
serving military personnel to better meet their employment needs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Military Spouses Factsheet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 3481, the Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025
Getting information to student veterans in a timely manner is
critical, and the VA must be able to meet veterans where they are. By
authorizing digital communications for GI Bill recipients, student
veterans will no longer be reliant on traditional mail service for
necessary information. As the VA seeks to modernize benefits delivery,
this common-sense legislation will help ensure student veterans are
considered and included in those efforts. PVA supports this
legislation.
Discussion Draft, the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act
While we appreciate the evolution of education delivery,
particularly when it comes to accessibility, raising the Basic
Allowance for Housing for student veterans pursuing online education
could have dire unintended consequences. Rural communities with
institutions of higher learning that have a cost of living lower than
the national average would see a drop in enrollment due to this
legislation incentivizing online education rather than in person or
hybrid programs. This would penalize students in rural communities and
discourage students from attending in person, which would have an
impact on veteran resource centers and other campus investments.
Historically, online education programs have had varying levels of
success, and in the early days of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, online
programs were a mechanism for predatory schools to take advantage of VA
benefits while providing subpar education programs to veterans. Many
veterans are still trying to be made whole after predatory schools took
their education benefits while producing no meaningful degree or
certificate. In terms of online education benefits, restoring those
benefits to harmed veterans should be the priority. Consequently, PVA
does not support this draft legislation.
H.R. 3386, the Streamlining the Solid Start Communications Act
The Solid Start Program has been a valuable addition to the
outreach and engagement mechanisms that VA uses to reach out to
veterans; however, it is currently limited to tailored mailings. PVA
supports the Streamlining the Solid Start Communications Act, which
would allow VA to conduct outreach via text messaging, virtual chat
features, and other forms of electronic engagement.
H.R. 3579, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
PVA is generally supportive of the Veterans Readiness and
Employment Program Integrity Act, but we believe it could be
strengthened by modifying some of its provisions. While we appreciate
the intent of section two of this legislation, some veterans may
struggle with their application because of the service-connected
disability that has made them eligible for Veterans Readiness and
Employment (VR&E) enrollment. Requiring these veterans to complete the
application to receive assistance seems burdensome. However,
application assistance should not be the responsibility of the veteran
rehabilitation counselor (VRC), this could be done by a veteran
rehabilitation specialist, staff who support VRCs in some of their
administrative work.
We also believe that section three of the bill fails to recognize
that every veteran has unique needs that must be addressed before they
are able to find meaningful and sustained employment. Placing an
arbitrary cap on the length of time a veteran should be able to find
employment discounts the experiences of disabled veterans. There is no
established timeline for veterans reengaging with the workforce and
limiting their ability to work with a counselor to find suitable
employment is an unnecessary barrier that could cause direct harm to
catastrophically disabled veterans.
Finally, while the Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits
Report contains a lot of good information about the VR&E program, it
still leaves a lot of gaps. Some type of VR&E specific annual report
would be helpful to the VA, Congress, and stakeholders who engage with
the program. PVA believes the roll out of the new VR&E platform, the
Readiness and Employment System, should make this type of report easier
to produce.
Discussion Draft, the Heroes Owning & Materializing Equity Act of 2025
PVA supports this draft legislation but offers recommendations to
improve it. We strongly support section two of the bill, which seeks to
increase a borrower's understanding of and financial responsibility for
using a VA home loan. However, we have concerns about the database that
would be created under section three of the bill, because we believe it
could be difficult to establish and maintain it. Although we support
increasing access to adapted houses, such a database would need to
provide in depth information about the modifications made to the home.
Also, it appears that the database would only be available to other
veterans who are eligible for VA's adaptive housing programs. Would
purchasing a home on the database affect a veteran's eligibility for
any other modifications needed? Would VA ensure that the adaptations
meet the veteran's needs? Further clarifications regarding the nature
of the database and its use would improve the bill. Finally, we support
section four of the bill, which requires the VA to improve outreach
efforts to veterans who reside in territories regarding eligibility for
VA programs and services.
Discussion Draft, to limit the amount of time the Secretary of
Veterans' Affairs may extend the period of a vocational rehabilitation
program for a veteran
Every veteran who uses the VR&E program is unique and has their own
individual barriers to employment. When a veteran is identified as
having a serious employment handicap, program extensions can be made
available on a case-by-case basis. We agree that reasonable limits
should be placed on program participation, but placing a blanket cap on
its use is not the right solution.
In a December 2024 VR&E oversight hearing, the VA testified that,
``an extension may be granted to a Veteran with an Employment Handicap
if the Veteran previously completed training an occupational field, but
the Veteran's service-connected disability (or disabilities) have
worsened to the point that the previous occupation is no longer
suitable. For a Veteran who has been determined to have a Serious
Employment Handicap, an extension may be granted to enable the Veteran
to complete a period of rehabilitation to the point of employability.
These are the majority of reasons extensions are granted.'' \2\
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\2\ Testimony of Nicholas Pamperin, Executive Director, Veteran
Readiness and Employment, Veterans Benefits Administration, Testimony,
December 11, 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no way to determine how long a veteran may, or may not,
need VR&E support. An arbitrary cap would do little more than limit
participation, and it could potentially harm veterans who need to
return to the program after a period of successful employment if that
veteran's disabilities have worsened. Therefore, PVA cannot support
this draft legislation.
H.R. 1965, the Veterans Education Assistance Adjustment Act
Although the Post-9/11 GI Bill has expanded education opportunities
for servicemembers and veterans, ancillary benefits offered through the
GI Bill have not increased since 2008. Currently, the book stipend
authorized under Chapter 33 falls well short of what is needed to cover
the costs of books that a student veteran is expected to purchase
annually as part of their education curriculum. Increasing the stipend
amount to $1,400 and tying it to the consumer price index, ensures
current and future student veterans will receive the support they need.
H.R. 2720, the Gold Star Family Education Parity Act
This legislation would sunset the Chapter 35, Dependents and
Educational Assistance (DEA) program, by August 1, 2029, and would
allow the eligible dependents and survivors to access the Post-9/11 GI
Bill (Chapter 33) for their education benefits. Currently, DEA benefits
are available to dependents and survivors of a veteran who:
is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-
connected disability, or
died because of a service-connected disability, or
died in the line of duty, or
is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty
by a hostile force for more than 90 days, or
was forcibly detained (held) or interned in the line of
duty by a foreign entity for more than 90 days, or
is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a
service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be
discharged for that disability.
Chapter 35 benefits consist of a monthly payment to help students
cover some of the costs while participating in college courses, on-the-
job training, or an apprenticeship. Meanwhile, Chapter 33 benefits
consist of direct payments of tuition and fees, a monthly housing
allowance, and money for books and supplies. In general, Chapter 33 is
the more generous benefit.
Military families, survivors, and dependents of seriously disabled
veterans have numerous obstacles to employment and educational
opportunities. Many of them had to take on caregiver roles that usurped
their higher education ambitions. PVA supports this legislation, which
would give greater educational support to survivors and dependents of
seriously disabled veterans to help improve their economic outlook.
H.R. 2954, the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act of 2025
PVA supports the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act, which would
improve the GI Bill apprenticeship approval process by allowing
interstate commercial carriers to receive a single approval from the
VA. Currently, approvals need to be granted for each State. This
creates complications for veterans seeking training to join the
trucking industry.
H.R. 2034, the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act
The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship was established to give
students using VA education benefits additional time when pursuing
degrees in various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
fields due to the nature of graduation requirements for these rigorous
degrees. This legislation removes several barriers that could increase
participation rates for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship by
reducing the number of required credits from 60 to 45 and eliminating
the requirement that an applicant must have exhausted their Post-9/11
GI Bill. By eliminating these barriers, more students will be eligible
to apply for the scholarship and be better prepared to plan for their
educational future. Eligibility will still be determined by VA, but
removing these requirements should increase the number of applicants.
PVA supports this bill.
Discussion Draft, Every Veteran Housed Act
Preventing veteran homelessness remains a critical challenge, and
Congress should give the VA as many tools as it can to reduce the
number of homeless veterans. This draft legislation expands the
eligibility for homelessness benefits to include veterans discharged
under other than dishonorable conditions, despite their time in
service. It would also include all branches of the uniformed services.
Servicemembers are separated from the military for a myriad of reasons,
and we should not ignore the needs of these individuals. Expanding
eligibility to homelessness support programs and allowing these
veterans to access these critical services will not only help prevent
chronic homelessness for these individuals, but it will also take us a
step closer to eliminating homelessness for all veterans.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our views on some of the
legislation before the subcommittee today. We look forward to working
with you on the bills discussed and would be happy to answer any
questions you may have.
Information Required by Rule XI 2(g) of the House of Representatives
Pursuant to Rule XI 2(g) of the House of Representatives, the following
information is provided regarding Federal grants and contracts.
Fiscal Year 2025
Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of National Veterans Sports
Programs & Special Events--Grant to support rehabilitation sports
activities--$502,000.
Fiscal Year 2023
Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of National Veterans Sports
Programs & Special Events--Grant to support rehabilitation sports
activities--$479,000.
Fiscal Year 2022
Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of National Veterans Sports
Programs & Special Events--Grant to support rehabilitation sports
activities--$ 437,745.
Disclosure of Foreign Payments
Paralyzed Veterans of America is largely supported by donations from
the general public. However, in some very rare cases we receive direct
donations from foreign nationals. In addition, we receive funding from
corporations and foundations which in some cases are U.S. subsidiaries
of non-U.S. companies.
Prepared Statement of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Chairman Van Orden, Ranking Member Pappas, and members of the
subcommittee, on behalf of the men and women of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States (VFW) and its Auxiliary, thank you for the
opportunity to provide our remarks on legislation pending before this
subcommittee.
H.R. 2334, To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to preempt any
squatter's rights established by State law regarding real property
owned by a member of the uniformed services
The VFW supports this legislation to amend the Servicemembers Civil
Relief Act (SCRA) to preempt State laws granting squatter's rights to
individuals occupying property owned by a service member during periods
of active service. This bill addresses an emerging concern for service
members who may be unable to monitor or defend their property due to
deployments or other service-related obligations. By clarifying that
such state-level protections for squatters do not apply in these cases,
this legislation would provide additional peace of mind and help
preserve property rights for persons who are serving our country. The
VFW sees this as a practical and necessary enhancement to existing SCRA
protections.
H.R. 3386, Streamlining the Solid Start Communications Act
The VFW supports this legislation to enhance the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) Solid Start Program. It is a top VFW legislative
priority to ensure transitioning service members are made aware through
multiple avenues of the VA benefits they have earned, including during
the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and in communications with
accredited representatives as part of the VA Benefits Delivery at
Discharge program. VFW survey data indicate that VA outreach efforts
can be improved to better inform veterans about benefits that can be
lifesaving and to ensure a successful transition to civilian life.
Solid Start was established for VA to conduct outreach to recently
separated members of the armed forces during their first year after the
military. It involved VA staff making three phone calls to veterans to
inform them of the benefits and services to which they may be entitled,
to answer questions about benefits, and provide additional resources
and information as needed.
This legislation would address how VA would conduct further
outreach if veterans could not be reached by phone. Currently, the law
indicates that VA should follow up with ``tailored mailings to ensure
the veteran still receives similar information.'' This proposal would
expand that directive to include not only tailored mailings, but also
other forms of communication including text messaging, virtual
chatting, and other electronic messaging options. The VFW agrees that
every effort should be made by VA to reach veterans using modern modes
of communication, especially during their first year after military
service.
H.R. 3387, Enhancing the Transitioning Servicemember's Experience (ETS)
Act
The VFW strongly supports this legislation to strengthen the
Transition Assistance Program by expanding eligibility to 540 days
prior to separation, requiring minimum durations for counseling, and
allowing repeat attendance on a space-available basis. The bill also
includes a pilot program for military spouses, mandates individualized
financial counseling by qualified professionals, standardizes TAP
pathways across all service components, and extends transitional health
care coverage from 180 to 270 days.
It also promotes a more seamless and supportive transition by
requiring improved coordination and information sharing between the
Departments of Defense (DOD), Veterans Affairs, and Labor, along with
annual reporting and audits of TAP delivery. It would also create a
searchable VA website for recently separated veterans to locate local
support. Since veterans receive their benefits and services primarily
through VA, we find it to be the most appropriate entity to host a
website for local resources. Improving transition programs is one of
the VFW's top priorities, and we see this proposal as directly
supporting the intent of the current DOD and VA memorandum of
understanding to enhance coordination between the two departments on
these efforts. The VFW appreciates the comprehensive nature of this
proposal and encourages the committee to swiftly advance it.
H.R. 3481, Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025
The VFW supports this legislation to require VA to provide a
mechanism for veterans to correspond electronically with VA staff to
ask questions about entitlement to and use of educational assistance
programs. Veterans would be able to opt to receive these communications
electronically instead of by regular mail. Additionally, those already
enrolled in educational programs would be notified of this option. The
VFW sees this as a positive step toward providing modern ways to
communicate with VA and receive the answers to pressing questions about
benefits and services. The VFW recommends implementing this option even
beyond VA education benefits.
H.R. 3579, Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
The VFW supports the intent of this legislation to make certain
improvements to Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E). The VFW is
neutral on the provision to require veterans to apply for VR&E services
before receiving an evaluation by a counselor. If this creates a
timelier process, then this would be a positive change. However, the
VFW wants to ensure that veterans are able to reach out to VA with
questions about VR&E eligibility and receive an explanation of the
application process. Veterans should be able to speak with VA staff
about this benefit and understand if it is a potential option for them.
The VFW does not support reducing employment assistance counseling
from 18 to 12 months for veterans who have completed VR&E programs.
When veterans complete their rehabilitation programs, they may struggle
to find employment on their own. Employment counseling is an important
resource for veterans with service-connected disabilities who are
trying to reenter the workforce. Reducing this timeframe may hinder
some veterans from successfully finding long-term employment.
The VFW supports the provisions that require VA to report on
employment outcomes of VR&E participants, including wages earned, and
to annually make public the average wait times between the date when a
veteran requests a VR&E program and the date on which the veteran first
meets with a counselor. This reporting would provide valuable
information on the effectiveness and timeliness of the program. The VFW
also supports the provision for an external body to review the program
and provide recommendations on potential improvements. We look forward
to working with the subcommittee to discuss this proposal further and
to pass important reforms for the VR&E program.
Discussion Draft, Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act
The VFW supports this legislation to increase the monthly housing
stipend for students in approved online courses of study. Currently,
students in distance learning programs receive a housing stipend rate
that is half the national average. This legislation would raise that
amount to the full national average rate.
The reality is that many veterans are nontraditional students. Some
have spouses and dependents to support. Some work one or more jobs
while pursuing their education. Some left the military with service-
connected injuries or illnesses that create barriers to attending
school fully in person. All these factors have an impact on veterans'
lives and their ability to use their education benefits. Online
programs may be the best fit for certain veterans. Some may participate
in in-person courses for part of their education or training, but then
shift for a semester or during the summer months to distance learning
courses. It is critical that veterans have stable housing while they
use their earned education benefits to be successful in completing the
programs and ensure the well-being of their families. As education
evolves with new technologies, veteran benefits must also evolve to be
fully utilized.
Discussion Draft, To amend title 38, United States Code, to limit the
amount of time the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs may extend the period
of a vocational rehabilitation program for a veteran
The VFW does not support limiting vocational rehabilitation
extensions to an arbitrary 96 months. The VR&E program provides
individualized rehabilitation plans for disabled veterans. Each plan is
unique and tailored to the specific needs of each veteran. If an
extension is required for a veteran to complete the program,
particularly if a service-connected disability worsens, the period of
the extension should be an appropriate amount of time for the veteran
to achieve the employment goals. Additionally, if a veteran requires an
extension, VA should also assess whether the rehabilitation plan should
continue unchanged with an extension, or be reevaluated and modified.
H.R. 1965, Veterans Education Assistance Adjustment Act
The VFW supports this legislation to increase the book stipend from
$1,000 to $1,400 for veterans using Post-9/11 GI Bill education
benefits. It would also include annual increases for the stipend based
on the Consumer Price Index. The $1,000 book stipend has not been
increased since 2009 when the Post-9/11 GI Bill was passed into law,
even though the cost of books and supplies for higher education has
increased. The VFW sees this as a commonsense improvement to this
education benefit.
H.R. 2720, Gold Star Family Education Parity Act
As a resolutions-based organization, the VFW does not currently
have a position on ending the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational
Assistance program in favor of another education benefit for survivors.
Accordingly, we do not have an opinion on this legislation at this
time. While the VFW would like to see education benefits for survivors
continue to be strengthened and improved, we caution against
inadvertently creating a benefits package for survivors that is more
generous than similar benefits to which veterans are entitled due to
their service.
Discussion Draft, Every Veteran Housed Act
The VFW supports this legislation to expand veteran homeless
programs to more veterans facing housing instability. This proposal
would broaden the eligibility for veterans who served for any length of
time in the military, discharged under certain conditions. It would
also include expanded eligibility for those currently serving. Stable
housing is a key contributor to physical and mental well-being and can
lower risks for suicide. Programs aimed at preventing veteran
homelessness should be available to all veterans who need them.
Chairman Van Orden and Ranking Member Pappas, this concludes my
statement. Again, thank you for the opportunity to offer our comments
on these issues.
Information Required by Rule XI2(g)(4) of the House of Representatives
Pursuant to Rule XI2(g)(4) of the House of Representatives, the VFW has
not received any Federal grants in Fiscal Year 2025, nor has it
received any Federal grants in the two previous Fiscal Years.
The VFW has not received payments or contracts from any foreign
governments in the current year or preceding two calendar years.
Prepared Statement of New England Center and Home for Veterans
Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano,
On January 2, 2025, The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century
Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into law.
An important provision of the Act is Section 402, which authorizes the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a Grant and Per Diem (GPD)
reimbursement rate of up to 200 percent of the State home domiciliary
rate, for up to 50 percent of grant recipients. This is a much-needed
increase beyond the current reimbursement rate, which is capped at 115
percent of the State domiciliary rate.
Despite this authorization, the VA has not implemented the new
rates, citing concerns that doing so could cause it to exceed the
current authorization of appropriations (AoA) for GPD. The AoA is
currently capped at $257,700,000 per Fiscal Year, which is what it has
been since 2016, despite the fact that, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index increased by almost 33
percent over the same timeframe \1\. The temporary increase in
reimbursement rates during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)
did provide some respite. However, when rates returned to their
original limits at the expiration of the PHE in May 2023, GPD operating
costs remained high. The resultant gap between reimbursements and
actual expenses was even wider than pre-COVID levels.
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\1\ CPI Home : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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The financial impact of the Dole Act's increased rates having not
been implemented is significant, especially for providers in high-cost
areas, like The New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV).
Transitional Housing remains a vital mainstay of the NECHV's programs
to combat and end Veteran homelessness, and the VA GPD Program is its
largest and most important transitional housing program. The Center's
downtown Boston Massachusetts facility is ideally located in the area
with the highest concentration of Veterans experiencing homelessness in
New
England, however it is also within the highest cost area of the
State. While estimates differ slightly, Boston is acknowledged to be
one of the most expensive cities in the country \2\, with a cost of
living estimated to be 48 percent higher than the national average.\3\
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\2\ https://livingcost.org/cost/united-states/ma/boston and https:/
/bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/city/massachusetts/boston
\3\ https://homeandmoney.com/blog/moving-to-boston-ma
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The ability to access reimbursement payments commensurate with
actual expenses is critical for providers like the NECHV. In recent
years, the Center expanded its GPD Clinical Treatment Program from 40
to 45 beds and converted ten of those beds into individual private
rooms with corresponding baths in order to meet Veteran health and
safety needs. While this improves the ability to support an
increasingly ageing and medically frail Veteran population, it
increases per-bed and per-day operating costs. The Center also operates
a 20-bed Low Demand GPD program which provides an enhanced level of
services, including 24-hour per day intensive Human Services staffing.
This program has been effective in producing positive outcomes for the
most at-risk Veterans, but it remains funded at the same rate as other
GPD service models, despite the added expenses of full-time staffing.
Since those staffing requirements and expenses are constant, regardless
of occupancy rate, they are essentially a fixed cost, which makes the
program more costly at lower occupancies. This creates additional
disincentives for providers to offer these highly effective, but
support-intensive, programs.
Labor costs for credentialed and experienced human services
personnel are a particular challenge. These skill sets are vital for
community providers like the NECHV that support an increasingly acute
population of vulnerable Veterans experiencing or at-risk of
homelessness. Due in part to the increased demand for human services
and mental health professionals during the COVID PHE, between Q1 of
2020 to Q3 of 2024, the average weekly wage for Social Assistance
Workers (NAICS Code 624) in Massachusetts increased by 34.8 percent
\4\. Despite the requirement for GPD service models like Low Demand to
provide to provide ``paid, appropriately trained'' \5\ staff,
reimbursements have not kept pace with this growth in wages. Further
exacerbating this situation, the NECHV has found that the most
effective approach to GPD program implementation is to employ masters-
level clinicians as Case Managers. Within Massachusetts, the average
weekly salary for such staff (including Licensed Clinical Social
Workers, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers and Licensed
Mental Health Clinicians) is approximately 80 percent higher than
Social Assistance Workers ($1,400/week vs. $779/week) \6\, adding
further cost to GPD program operation.
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\4\ Private, NAICS 624 Social assistance, Massachusetts Quarterly
data 2020--2024 , All establishment sizes Source: Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages--Bureau of Labor Statistics
\5\ Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Providers Grant and Per
Diem (GPD) Program Per Diem Only (PDO) Grant Notice of Funding
Opportunity, 27 October 2022.
\6\ Salary: Licensed Clinical Social Worker Lcsw in Massachusetts
2025 Glassdoor
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In practical terms for the NECHV, the growth in operating expenses,
with no change in reimbursements, has resulted in a gap between
expenses and reimbursement payments of $52.41 per bed per day for the
Clinical Treatment service model and $182.13 per bed per day for Low
Demand. (Approximately $6000.00 total cost per day for both programs at
100 percent occupancy) \7\. Since passage of the Dole Act on January 2d
of this year, the Center's accumulated shortfall of VA reimbursements
versus actual GPD Program costs for the year to date is approximately
$924,000. If the existing rate versus expense situation endures for the
remainder of Fiscal Year 2025, the total unreimbursed cost of operating
the NECHV's current GPD program could grow as high as $1.6M.
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\7\ The NECHV's GPD Programs typically operate at approximately 85
percent occupancy year-round. However, since many costs, such as staff
and utilities are relatively constant despite occupancy rates, the
difference between expenses and reimbursements is actually higher at
lower rates.
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While these costs are specific to the NECHV, the situation has
placed greater financial burden on all providers. Between the Fiscal
Year 2020 GPD grant round and the 2024 grant round, the number of GPD
providers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts decreased from nine to
five, with a loss of at least 44 Clinical Treatment and Low Demand
beds.
The NECHV greatly appreciates the overwhelming bipartisan support
exhibited in the passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole Act. However,
until the shortfall in the GPD AoA is corrected to enable the VA to
implement the newly authorized reimbursement rates, the Center and
other provider organizations will not be able to realize the full
benefits of this important legislation. The House recently passed H.R.
1815, which contains a provision that would increase the GPD AoA within
the current fiscal year. The NECHV is thankful for this progress and
fully supports this measure as the most expeditious solution to the
current situation. The current limitation in the Title 38 Code USC 2016
GPD Fiscal Year AoA must be addressed for organizations like the NECHV
to be able to continue delivering critical services to Veterans in
need. We respectfully request your continued support and attention to
achieving this end.
Prepared Statement of Student Veterans of America
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