[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1965-H1968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRAINING IN HIGH-DEMAND ROLES TO IMPROVE VETERAN EMPLOYMENT ACT

  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2523) to amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to 
improve the COVID-19 Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance program, to 
make certain technical corrections to the Johnny Isakson and David P. 
Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2523

       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 ``Training in High-demand 
     Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act'' or the ``THRIVE 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO COVID-19 VETERAN RAPID RETRAINING 
                   ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan 
     Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (3) of subsection (c) and 
     inserting the following new paragraph (3):
       ``(3) Determination of high-demand occupations.--
       ``(A) Initial implementation.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Secretary shall use the list of high-demand 
     occupations prepared in conjunction with the Secretary of 
     Labor.
       ``(B) Modifications.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     add and remove occupations from the list under subparagraph 
     (A) as the Secretary determines appropriate.'';
       (2) in subsection (d)(3)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``(other than such a program pursued solely through distance 
     learning on a half-time basis or less)'' after ``a covered 
     program of education under the retraining assistance program 
     under this section''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``less than a half-
     time basis'' and inserting ``a half-time basis or less'';
       (3) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), and (h) as 
     subsections (k), (l), and (m), respectively;
       (4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(f) Employee Assistance.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall 
     contact each veteran who pursues a covered program of 
     education under this section--
       ``(1) not later than 30 days after the date on which the 
     veteran begins the program of education to notify the veteran 
     of the availability of employment placement services upon 
     completion of the program; and
       ``(2) not later than 14 days after the date on which the 
     veteran completes, or terminates participation in, such 
     program to facilitate the provision of employment placement 
     services to such veteran.
       ``(g) Nonprofit Organization.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one or 
     more qualified nonprofit organizations for the purpose of 
     facilitating the employment of veterans who participate in 
     the retraining assistance program under this section.
       ``(2) Qualified nonprofit organization.--For purposes of 
     this subsection, a qualified nonprofit organization is a 
     nonprofit organization that--
       ``(A) is an association of businesses; and
       ``(B) has at least two years of experience providing job 
     placement services for veterans.
       ``(h) Follow up Outreach.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, shall 
     contact each veteran who completes a covered program of 
     education under the retraining assistance program under this 
     section 30, 60, 90, and 180 days after the veteran completes 
     such program of education to ask the veteran about the 
     experience of the veteran in the retraining assistance 
     program and the veteran's employment status.
       ``(i) Quarterly Reports.--Not later than the date that is 
     one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
     quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to 
     the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
     of Representatives a report containing the following 
     information about veterans who participate in the retraining 
     assistance program under this section:
       ``(1) The percentage of such veterans who found employment 
     before the end of the second calendar quarter after exiting 
     the program.
       ``(2) The percentage of such veterans who found employment 
     before the end of the fourth calendar quarter after exiting 
     the program.
       ``(3) The median earnings of all such veterans for the 
     second quarter after exiting the program.
       ``(4) The percentage of such veterans who attain a 
     recognized postsecondary credential during the 12-month 
     period after exiting the program.
       ``(j) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the termination of the retraining assistance program 
     under subsection (l), the Comptroller General shall submit to 
     the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
     of Representatives a report on the outcomes and effectiveness 
     of the program.'';
       (5) in subsection (l), as so redesignated, by striking ``No 
     retraining assistance may be paid under this section after 
     the date that is 21 months after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act'' and inserting ``No retraining assistance may be 
     paid under this section for a covered program of education 
     that begins on or after December 11, 2022'';
       (6) in subsection (m), as so redesignated, by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting the following: ``, which 
     shall be carried out as if such section were authorized for 
     the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to or 
     on behalf of veterans under chapters 30, 31, and 41 of title 
     38, United States Code. Not more than $386,000,000 may be 
     obligated or expended to carry out this section.''; and
       (7) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(n) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `covered public health emergency' means the 
     declaration--
       ``(A) of a public health emergency, based on an outbreak of 
     COVID-19 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under 
     section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     247d); or
       ``(B) of a domestic emergency, based on an outbreak of 
     COVID-19 by the President, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, or State, or local authority.
       ``(2) The term `veteran' means--
       ``(A) a person who served in the active military, naval, or 
     air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom 
     under conditions other than dishonorable; or
       ``(B) a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces 
     who performs active service for a period of 30 days or longer 
     by reason of the covered public health emergency.
       ``(3) The term `active service' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.''.

[[Page H1966]]

       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply as if included in the enactment of the American 
     Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).

     SEC. 3. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS ABOUT POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) Additional Information To Be Provided.--Subsection (c) 
     of section 3698 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(C)--
       (A) in clause (xi), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (xii), by striking the period and inserting a 
     semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
       ``(xiii) whether the institution is listed on the College 
     Navigator website as affiliated with a religion and, if so, 
     which religious denomination;
       ``(xiv) whether the Secretary of Education or other head of 
     a department or agency of the Federal Government has 
     determined that the institution is a minority serving 
     institution and, if so, which one or more types of minority 
     serving institutions; and
       ``(xv) whether the institution is gender specific.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following 
     new sentence: ``To the extent practicable, the Secretary 
     shall ensure that such information is provided in a 
     searchable format.''.
       (b) Definition.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(3) The term `College Navigator website' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 132 of the Higher Education Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 1015a).
       ``(4) The term `minority serving institution' means any of 
     the following:
       ``(A) A part B institution, as such term is defined in 
     section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1061(2)).
       ``(B) A Hispanic-serving institution, as such term is 
     defined in section 502(a)(5) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1101a(5)).
       ``(C) A Tribal College or University, as such term is 
     defined in section 316(b)(3) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1059c(b)(3)).
       ``(D) A predominantly Black institution, as such term is 
     defined in section 318(b)(6) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1059e(b)(6)).
       ``(E) A Native American-serving, nontribal institution, as 
     such term is defined in section 319(b)(2) of such Act (20 
     U.S.C. 1059f(b)(6)).
       ``(F) An Alaska Native-serving institution or Native 
     Hawaiian-serving institution, as such terms are defined in 
     section 317(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)).
       ``(G) An Asian American and Native American Pacific 
     Islander-serving institution, as such term is defined in 
     section 320(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059g(b)).''.
       (c) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply with respect to the information provided under section 
     3698 of title 38, United States Code, beginning on the date 
     that is two years after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 4. DELAY OF EFFECTIVE DATE FOR LIMITATION ON COLOCATION 
                   AND ADMINISTRATION OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.

       Section 1024 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. 
     Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 
     (Public Law 116-315) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 1024. LIMITATION ON COLOCATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF 
                   STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.

       ``(a) In General.--Section 3671 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       `` `(c) The Secretary may not recognize a State department 
     or agency as the State approving agency for a State for 
     purposes of this chapter if such department or agency is 
     administered at, or colocated with, a university or 
     university system that offers courses or programs of 
     education that are subject to approval under this chapter by 
     the State approving agency for that State.'.
       ``(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.''.

     SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY OF TREATMENT OF 
                   CERTAIN FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) Clarification.--Section 1022(c) of the Johnny Isakson 
     and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
     Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315) is amended by 
     inserting ``, or the conversion of a for-profit educational 
     institution to a public educational institution,'' after 
     ``nonprofit educational institution''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply as if included in the enactment of the Johnny 
     Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and 
     Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315).

     SEC. 6. CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL 
                   INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE EDUCATIONAL 
                   ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Subsection (f) of section 3679 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by section 1018 of the Johnny Isakson and 
     David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
     Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(E), by inserting ``, to the maximum 
     extent practicable,'' after ``including'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``, or any person with whom the institution has an agreement 
     to provide educational programs, marketing, advertising, 
     recruiting or admissions services,'' after ``educational 
     institution'';
       (B) in paragraph (A)(ii), by striking ``1-month'' and 
     inserting ``one-month''; and
       (C) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
     following new subparagraph (B):
       ``(B) Provides a commission, bonus, or other incentive 
     payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing 
     enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities 
     engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or 
     in making decisions regarding the award of student financial 
     assistance.'';
       (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking clause (ii) and 
     inserting the following new clauses:
       ``(ii) Suspending the approval of the courses and programs 
     of education offered by the educational institution by 
     disapproving new enrollments of eligible veterans and 
     eligible persons in each course or program of education 
     offered by that educational institution.
       ``(iii) Revoking the approval of the courses and programs 
     of education offered by the educational institution by 
     disapproving all enrollments of eligible veterans and 
     eligible persons in each course or program of education 
     offered by that educational institution''; and
       (4) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``1-academic-year 
     period'' and inserting ``one-academic-year period''.

     SEC. 7. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Title 38.--Title 38, United States Code, is amended as 
     follows:
       (1) The second section 1164, as added by section 5501 the 
     Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care 
     and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), is 
     redesignated as section 1166 and transferred so as to appear 
     after section 1165 (and the table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 11 of such title is conformed 
     accordingly).
       (2) Subsection (l) of section 3313, as added by section 
     1010 of such Act (as effective on August 1, 2021), is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(l) Verification of Enrollment.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require--
       ``(A) each educational institution to submit to the 
     Secretary verification of each individual who is enrolled in 
     a course or program of education at the educational 
     institution and is receiving educational assistance under 
     this chapter--
       ``(i) not later than such time as the Secretary determines 
     reasonable after the date on which the individual is 
     enrolled; and
       ``(ii) not later than such time as the Secretary determines 
     reasonable after the last date on which a student is able to 
     withdraw from the course or program of education without 
     penalty; and
       ``(B) each individual who is enrolled in a course or 
     program of education and is receiving educational assistance 
     under this chapter to submit to the Secretary verification of 
     such enrollment for each month during which the individual is 
     so enrolled and receiving such educational assistance.
       ``(2) Form of verification.--Verification under this 
     subsection shall be in an electronic form prescribed by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(3) Failure to submit verification.--If an individual 
     fails to submit the verification required under paragraph 
     (1)(B) for two consecutive months, the Secretary may not make 
     a monthly housing stipend payment to the individual under 
     this section until the individual submits such 
     verification.''.
       (3) Section 3673A, as added by section 1013 of such Act, is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``searchable''; and
       (B) in subsection (c), by inserting ``searchable'' before 
     ``database''.
       (4) The subsection (f) of section 3679, as added by section 
     1017 of such Act, is redesignated as paragraph (3) of 
     subsection (a) of such section 3679 and is transferred so as 
     to appear after paragraph (2) of such subsection.
       (5) Section 3696(g)(4)(A)(iii)(III), as amended by section 
     1020 of such Act, is amended by striking ``paragraph (3)(B) 
     of this subsection'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)''.
       (b) Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health 
     Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.--The Johnny 
     Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and 
     Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315) is 
     amended as follows:
       (1) In section 1013(a)(1), by inserting ``of title 38'' 
     after ``of chapter 36''.
       (2) In section 2205(c)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``Effective Date'' and 
     inserting ``Applicability''; and
       (B) by striking ``the date that is two years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to 
     grants applications submitted on or after the date that is 
     two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.''
       (3) In section 4101(b), by striking ``subchapter'' and 
     inserting ``chapter''.
       (4) In section 5501--
       (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``of such title'' and 
     inserting ``of title 38, United States Code''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``section 1164'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``section 1166''.

[[Page H1967]]

  


     SEC. 8. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2523, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2523, as amended, the 
Training in High-Demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act, or 
THRIVE Act.
  H.R. 2523, as amended, builds off the work of the American Rescue 
Plan to deliver employment training quicker and more effectively to 
veterans who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
  The American Rescue Plan was one of the most important pieces of 
legislation many of us will ever have the chance to vote on, making 
generational investments into veteran healthcare, homelessness, and job 
training programs.
  Following the passage of that legislation into law, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs highlighted some improvements to the law to deliver 
job training benefits quicker and more equitably to all Americans, 
regardless of where they live.
  The legislation before us will get those benefits out quicker to 
veterans and will improve the recordkeeping of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor to ensure veterans are 
aware of options available to them to find quality employment.
  The THRIVE Act will also see the VA partner with local business 
groups to facilitate job placement.
  Madam Speaker, in addition, the Department shared with our committee 
ways to improve the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans 
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, to improve the 
experience for student veterans who are still being impacted by 
classroom experiences due to COVID-19.
  This is why this legislation, offered by Economic Opportunity 
Subcommittee Chairman   Mike Levin and Ranking Member   Mike Bost, is 
so timely and important.
  This legislation is endorsed by many VSOs, including the Student 
Veterans of America, the National Association of State Approving 
Agencies, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American 
Veterans.
  I wish to thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing H.R. 
2523, as amended, to the floor so quickly. I urge the rest of my 
colleagues to support this legislation to ensure VA can deliver 
assistance to our veterans as quickly as possible.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2523, as amended, the 
Training in High-Demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act, or 
THRIVE Act.
  This legislation would make needed improvements to the American 
Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It would also make several technical 
corrections to the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans 
Health Care and Improvement Act of 2020.
  COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our economy. It has closed 
small businesses across the country and left millions of Americans 
unemployed. That includes an estimated half a million veterans. Before 
the pandemic, the veterans unemployment rate was at a near record low. 
Today, it is almost double that.
  We must help our veterans get back to work. I introduced the Veterans 
Economic Recovery Act earlier this year to do just that. That bill 
created the Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program, or V-RAP. V-
RAP allows veterans who are unemployed because of COVID-19 to receive 
rapid retraining to compete for high-demand jobs.
  The bulk of the Veterans Economic Recovery Act was enacted as part of 
the American Rescue Plan. Unfortunately, because Speaker Pelosi used 
the reconciliation process to pass the ARP, there were several 
provisions of V-RAP that were not included. That is why I was pleased 
to work with Chairman Levin on the bill before us today. It would 
finish the job and ensure that V-RAP is set up for success.
  Specifically, the THRIVE Act would allow the VA to add jobs to the 
in-demand occupations list so the training leads to meaningful 
employment; require the VA to work with the Department of Labor and 
nonprofit organizations to ensure that V-RAP participants are provided 
employment services once their training is over; require the GAO to 
report on the overall effectiveness of V-RAP; and make changes to how 
the VA pays schools for training that participants receive so that it 
can be used by the veterans very quickly.
  While I am glad the changes are being made, it is unfortunate they 
were not initially addressed in the ARP.
  The THRIVE Act also includes the text of the bill by Representative 
Torres of California. Her bill would add information to the GI Bill 
comparison tool to let the veterans know if schools have a religious 
affiliation or have historically served a particular minority 
population. This will help veterans be better informed when they decide 
to use their GI Bill benefits.
  I thank Representative Torres for her work, and I am glad that we 
were able to include her legislation in this bill.
  I am grateful to Chairman Takano and Congressman Levin for working 
with me on the THRIVE Act. I am confident that it will help veterans 
get back on their feet.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Levin), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic 
Opportunity, the author of the bill, and also my good friend and fellow 
Californian.
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I thank our great chairman, 
Chairman Takano, and our ranking member for their great work. It is an 
honor to continue serving our veterans in a bipartisan manner and to 
chair the relevant subcommittee.
  As the Representative for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and 
thousands of military families in the region, I am incredibly proud of 
the work we have accomplished in the past few years for our Nation's 
veterans.
  Back in January of this year, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, 
M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into 
law. It was a historic omnibus bill for veterans that strengthened many 
benefits and services for those who have served our country. It was a 
great bipartisan accomplishment. Again, I am grateful to all of my 
colleagues for getting it across the finish line.
  It included provisions to improve services for homeless veterans, to 
protect GI Bill benefits, improve the Transition Assistance Program for 
servicemembers returning to civilian life, and so much more. It was the 
product, again, of bipartisan, bicameral work, proof that we can do 
things on a bipartisan basis here in Washington, D.C., and I was proud 
to help lead that bill.
  Most recently, we passed the American Rescue Plan, a landmark piece 
of legislation to help Americans get through this pandemic, including 
our veterans who have struggled to get back on their feet during this 
difficult time.
  A key piece of that bill was nearly $400 million for a rapid 
retraining program for veterans who are unemployed as a result of this 
pandemic and don't have access to other veteran education benefits.
  Both of these bills were huge accomplishments; but, like all 
legislation, they weren't perfect, and there are still steps that we 
must take to make these programs work even better for the veterans they 
are intended to serve.

[[Page H1968]]

  That is why I was proud to introduce legislation with Ranking Member  
 Mike Bost of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, amending the 
American Rescue Plan and the Isakson-Roe legislation to improve job 
training and education programs for our veterans.
  For example, our bill makes changes to the Rapid Retraining 
Assistance Program so we are focusing on high-demand occupations.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1\1/2\ minutes to 
the gentleman from California.
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it will also improve the VA's 
communication with veterans about employment placement services. It 
will clarify veterans' eligibility for housing stipends under the 
retraining program. And it will ensure the VA works with qualified 
nonprofit business associations to facilitate the employment of 
participating veterans.
  Nothing in this bill is controversial. It is all about improving 
existing veterans' programs so they can get back to work and make the 
most of the services they have earned and deserve.
  Madam Speaker, I hope we can pass this bill without delay, and I urge 
all of my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, I 
am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Cawthorn).
  Mr. CAWTHORN. Madam Speaker, America's veterans are facing an 
unemployment crisis that threatens their livelihoods. While this 
current government focuses on giving jobs to illegal immigrants, 
approximately half a million veterans are out of work as of March 2021.
  Americans often talk about their love of our troops. As politicians, 
we often take victory laps through our districts meeting veterans and 
pledging to work for them. Now it is time for us to act on that pledge. 
The THRIVE Act represents a commonsense step to empower both veterans 
and educational institutions who provide much-needed workforce 
training.
  I come from a family of veterans. For six generations, the men of my 
family have served their country proudly in the Armed Forces. I 
represent the first generation to enter a different type of service. 
While I cannot say I have experienced the trauma and sacrifice that our 
men and women have experienced on the battlefield, I have witnessed the 
brutally difficult task of transitioning back to the home front. If we, 
as elected Representatives, can ease that process and reduce veteran 
unemployment in one fell swoop, then I firmly believe that we are 
obligated to do so.
  The THRIVE Act would ensure that the additional authorities and 
funding Congress provided for unemployed veterans work as intended to 
help veterans in need to find good, well-paying jobs. Let's enable our 
veterans to transition back into civilian life. Those who have given so 
much to this Nation deserve nothing less.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I want to thank all the Members who were 
involved in moving forward with this legislation, especially Chairman 
Takano, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the bipartisan way in which 
we moved forward on this bill. I want to thank all my colleagues, and I 
urge all of them to join me in passing H.R. 2523, as amended.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2523, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________