[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1574-H1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1300
     SUPPORT FOR VETERANS IN EFFECTIVE APPRENTICESHIPS ACT OF 2019

  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (S. 760) to enable registered apprenticeship programs to 
better serve veterans, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                 S. 760

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Support for Veterans in 
     Effective Apprenticeships Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. IMPROVED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM COORDINATION BETWEEN 
                   THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
       (1) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term 
     ``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship 
     program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 
     664; commonly referred to as the ``National Apprenticeship 
     Act'').
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Labor.
       (b) Additional Registered Apprenticeship Program 
     Requirements.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     for any program applying to become a registered 
     apprenticeship program on or after the date that is 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) acquire from the program sponsor a written assurance 
     that the sponsor--
       (A) is aware of the availability of educational assistance 
     for a veteran or other individual eligible under chapters 30 
     through 36 of title 38, United States Code, for use in 
     connection with a registered apprenticeship program;
       (B) will make a good faith effort to obtain approval for 
     educational assistance described in subparagraph (A) for, at 
     a minimum, each program location that employs or recruits a 
     veteran or other individual eligible for educational 
     assistance under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38, United 
     States Code; and
       (C) will not deny the application of a qualified candidate 
     who is a veteran or other individual eligible for educational 
     assistance described in subparagraph (A) for the purpose of 
     avoiding making a good faith effort to obtain approval as 
     described in subparagraph (B);
       (2) in accordance with paragraphs (5) and (12) of section 
     29.5(b) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in 
     effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act), 
     require the program sponsor, to the extent practicable, to 
     provide standards that contain provisions to grant advanced 
     standing or credit, and provide increased wages commensurate 
     to such standing or credit, for any veteran or other 
     individual eligible for educational assistance under chapters 
     30 through 36 of title 38, United States Code, who--
       (A) is enrolled in the registered apprenticeship program; 
     and
       (B)(i) has a demonstrated competence applicable to the 
     apprenticeship occupation; or
       (ii) has acquired experience, training, or skills through 
     military service that is applicable to the apprenticeship 
     occupation; and
       (3) when the Secretary approves the registered 
     apprenticeship program, provide a copy of the program's 
     certificate of registration to the State approving agency 
     designated under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, 
     in the State where the program is located.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Nevada (Mrs. Lee) and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Watkins) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks, and insert extraneous material on S. 760, the Support for 
Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act of 2019.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 760, Support for Veterans 
in Effective Apprenticeships Act. This legislation is a commonsense 
approach to helping men and women who have laid their life on the line 
for our freedom.
  So many of our veterans transition to civilian life and need to 
develop a skill to get good-paying jobs. Yet, many are not suited for 
traditional education pathways. This is where registered apprenticeship 
programs are so important, and this legislation takes important steps 
to increasing veterans' access to complete financial assistance they 
can use to connect to a registered apprenticeship program.
  Registered apprenticeships are our Nation's most successful federally 
funded workforce development with a 94 percent placement rate for 
workers who complete a registered apprenticeship, and an average 
starting salary of $70,000 a year. The bill would ensure more veterans 
access to these high-quality programs by:
  One, requiring the Department of Labor, DOL, to ensure employers are 
working with their State veterans affairs agencies to obtain education 
benefits available for veterans;
  Two, improving the coordination between the DOL and the VA, requiring 
the DOL to provide information to the VA on newly registered 
apprenticeship programs to enable the VA to be more proactive in 
outreach to registered apprenticeship programs not yet approved for GI 
bill benefits; and
  Three, ensuring that employers grant advanced standing or credit, and 
provide increased wages commensurate to such standing or credit to 
veterans or

[[Page H1575]]

other eligible individuals who can demonstrate competencies or 
experience, training or skills through their military service.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this 
important legislation, which will take real steps to improve veterans 
and their families access to high-quality registered apprenticeship 
programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of S. 760, the Support for Veterans in 
Effective Apprenticeships Act. This bill would provide more 
opportunities for servicemembers within apprenticeship programs that 
align with their skills and their background.
  As a veteran, one of the hardest things I did was transitioning back 
to the civilian world. I spent somewhere around 8\1/2\ years in 
conflict environments over the course of maybe 12 or 13, and it was 
easier to stay in Iraq or Afghanistan than it was to come back to the 
United States.
  Now, we have got an outstanding military. It is resilient and bright; 
many fought in two wars. They have excellent leadership and technical 
skills, skills that would be used to close the skills gap. Veterans are 
more likely to be underemployed than their nonveteran counterparts. 
This is not because they lack the appropriate skills, rather, they lack 
the clear path that helps them to transition from the military service 
to good-paying jobs.
  S. 760 ensures that veterans receive advanced standings in registered 
apprenticeship programs for their prior experience. This bill 
acknowledges the unique capabilities of veterans and simplifies the 
process for veterans transitioning from successful careers in the 
military to civilian life.
  We have a wealth of experience right here in our country with our 
veterans. Let's tap into that pool of intelligent and hardworking 
heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Thompson).
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman 
from Nevada and the gentleman from Kansas for their support of this 
very important piece of legislation.
  I rise in support of S. 760, the Support for Veterans in Effective 
Apprenticeships Act of 2019. I was proud to introduce the House 
companion bill, H.R. 5314, with my colleague, Representative Katherine 
Clark.
  Our Nation's veterans deserve our support while deployed and when 
they return home. One of the best ways to do that is to prepare them 
for the workforce outside of the military.
  Our servicemembers have attained incredible skills during their 
service, many times, quite frankly, under fire. Sadly, when they return 
to civilian life, finding a good-paying, family-sustaining job may be 
difficult.
  Many States have significant inconsistencies between the number of 
registered apprenticeships offered and the number of programs listed as 
approved for veterans' benefits. These discrepancies exist despite the 
simple, expedited VA approval process for apprenticeship sponsors who 
have gone through all the steps to register their programs through the 
Department of Labor at either the Federal or the State level.
  The VA approval process still requires additional steps that not all 
sponsors follow through to completion. This makes it difficult in many 
States for veterans to have the full list of apprenticeship programs 
where they can use their earned benefits and apply their learned skills 
and knowledge.
  H.R. 5314 helps streamline the process of attaining an apprenticeship 
and reduces roadblocks for our veterans.

  The bill ensures programs are equipped to complete the expedited VA 
process for registered apprenticeships and expands coordination between 
the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Now, additionally, the bill clarifies that veterans are eligible for 
advanced placement and appropriate wage increases and instructs 
apprenticeship programs to account for a participant's competencies and 
prior experiences, including those gained during military service.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, if the 
gentleman from Kansas is, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I am ready to close.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 760 would help veterans transition to the civilian 
workforce and address our growing skills gaps that has led to 7 million 
unfilled jobs. This bill is a clear win for our country, and I urge my 
colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  The Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act, S. 760, 
will assist our veterans and their families in accessing the high-
quality pathways that registered apprenticeships provide.
  As I said before, we owe it to our brave veterans to set them up for 
a life of self-sufficiency and dignity. This legislation does not 
create another bureaucratic layer that veterans must navigate, instead, 
it requires coordination. Coordination between the DOL and the VA that 
will reduce barriers for employers and veterans and accessing financial 
assistance they can use in connection with the registered 
apprenticeship program.
  We have all heard stories of veterans having to navigate complex 
requirements to access benefits that, quite honestly, they have earned 
and deserve. This legislation proves that this Congress has heard our 
veterans, and we are taking concrete steps to reduce barriers by 
cutting red tape.
  Mr. Speaker, I don't know why anyone would be opposed to that, which 
is why I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Nevada (Mrs. Lee) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, S. 760.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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