[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 85 (Monday, May 17, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2369-H2372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NATIVE VETSUCCESS AT TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PILOT PROGRAM ACT

  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2878) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry 
out a Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot 
Program, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2878

       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 ``Native VetSuccess at Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act''.

     SEC. 2. NATIVE VETSUCCESS AT TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES 
                   PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall carry out a five-year pilot program, to be known as the 
     ``Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot 
     Program''. Under such pilot program the Secretary shall--
       (1) identify three regional Native VetSuccess service areas 
     consisting of at least two participating Tribal colleges or 
     universities;
       (2) assign to each regional Native VetSuccess service area 
     a VetSuccess on Campus counselor and a full-time Vet Center 
     outreach coordinator, both of whom shall be based on one or 
     more of the participating Tribal colleges or universities in 
     the service area; and
       (3) provide for eligible students at such participating 
     colleges and universities with all services for which such 
     students would be eligible under the VetSuccess on Campus 
     program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Eligible Students.--For purposes of the pilot program, 
     an eligible student is a student who is a veteran, member of 
     the Armed Forces, or dependent of a veteran or member of the 
     Armed Forces who is eligible for any service or benefit under 
     the VetSuccess on Campus program of the Department.
       (c) Consultation Requirement.--In developing the pilot 
     program under this section, the Secretary, acting through the 
     Veteran Readiness and Employment Program of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs and in coordination with the Office of 
     Tribal Government Relations of the Department, shall consult 
     with Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and veterans 
     service organizations regarding each of the following:
       (1) The design of the pilot program.
       (2) The selection of the three regional Native VetSuccess 
     service areas and participating Tribal colleges and 
     universities, taking into consideration--
       (A) the number of eligible students enrolled in the college 
     or university and in the regional service area;
       (B) the capacity of the colleges and universities in the 
     regional service area to accommodate a full-time VetSuccess 
     on Campus counselor and a full-time Vet Center outreach 
     coordinator;
       (C) the lack of information available at the colleges and 
     universities in the regional service area about and lack of 
     access to benefits and services under the laws administered 
     by the Secretary; and
       (D) any other factor that the Secretary or the Indian 
     tribes, Tribal organizations, and veterans service 
     organizations identify as relevant.
       (3) The most effective way to provide culturally competent 
     outreach and services to eligible students at Tribal colleges 
     and universities.
       (d) Outreach to Colleges and Universities.--The Secretary 
     shall provide notice of the pilot program to all Tribal 
     colleges and universities and encourage all Tribal colleges 
     and universities to coordinate with each other to create 
     regional service areas to participate in the pilot program.
       (e) Briefings and Reports.--
       (1) Implementation briefing.--Not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     provide for the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
     Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
     the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate a briefing on--
       (A) the design, structure, and objectives of the pilot 
     program; and
       (B) the three regional Native Vet Success service areas and 
     the Tribal colleges and universities selected for 
     participation in the pilot program and the reason for the 
     selection of such service areas and such colleges and 
     universities.
       (2) Report.--Not later than four years after the date on 
     which the Secretary establishes the pilot program, the 
     Secretary shall submit to such Committees a report on the 
     pilot program. Such report shall include each of the 
     following:
       (A) The number of eligible students provided services 
     through the pilot program.
       (B) The types of services that eligible students received 
     through the pilot program.
       (C) The graduation rate of eligible students who received 
     services through the pilot program.
       (D) The rate of employment within one year of graduation 
     for eligible students who received services through the pilot 
     program.
       (E) Feedback from each Tribal college or university that 
     participated in the pilot program, including on the regional 
     nature of the program.
       (F) Analysis of the feasibility of expanding a regionally 
     based Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities 
     Program, including an explanation of the challenges of such a 
     model due to issues with distance, communication, and 
     coordination, and to the level of unmet services.

[[Page H2370]]

       (G) A detailed legislative proposal regarding a long-term 
     extension of the pilot program, including a budget, if the 
     Secretary determines that such an extension is appropriate.
       (f) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``Tribal college or university'' has the 
     meaning given such term under section 316 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c).
       (2) The term ``tribal organization'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
       (3) The term ``culturally competent'' means considerate of 
     the unique values, customs, traditions, cultures, and 
     languages of Native American veterans.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY 
                   PILOT PROGRAM.

       Subsection (g) of section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery 
     Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-
     48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note), as amended by section 4302 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:
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Funds shall be made 
     available for carrying out the pilot program under this 
     section from funds appropriated to, or otherwise made 
     available to, the Department for the payment of readjustment 
     benefits, in the following amounts for a fiscal year in which 
     the Secretary carries out the pilot program:
       ``(1) For fiscal year 2019, $62,000,000.
       ``(2) For fiscal year 2020, $63,000,000.
       ``(3) For fiscal year 2021, $90,000,000.
       ``(4) For fiscal year 2022, $90,000,000.
       ``(5) For fiscal year 2023, $60,000,000.
       ``(6) For fiscal year 2024, $0.''.

     SEC. 4. PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO 
                   ARE ``ROUNDING OUT'' UNDER EDUCATIONAL 
                   ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3680(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and 
     inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the case of an 
     eligible veteran or eligible person who is pursuing a program 
     of education on less than a half-time basis during a period 
     that is the last semester, term, or academic period the 
     veteran or person will be enrolled in the program of 
     education because the veteran or person will complete the 
     program of education at the end of that semester, term or 
     academic period, the Secretary may, pursuant to such 
     regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, provide to the 
     veteran or person educational assistance under chapter 30, 
     32, 33, 34, or 35 of this title or under chapter 1606 of 
     title 10, including a monthly housing stipend described in 
     section 3313(c) of this title, on the basis of the total 
     number of credits or courses in which the veteran or person 
     is enrolled, if--
       ``(A) the number of credits the veteran or person needs to 
     complete the program of education is less than the number of 
     credits that would constitute enrollment on a more than half-
     time basis for that last semester, term, or academic period; 
     and
       ``(B) the veteran or person--
       ``(i) is enrolled in, or has completed, every course 
     offered by the program of education during the last semester, 
     term, or academic period in which the veteran or person is 
     enrolled in the program of education; and
       ``(ii) enrolls in an additional course that is not required 
     for the completion of such program of education and the 
     enrollment in the non-required course in addition to the 
     required course or courses in which the veteran or person is 
     enrolled constitutes enrollment on more than a half-time 
     basis.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on August 1, 2021, and apply with respect 
     to any semester, term, or academic period that begins on or 
     after that date.

     SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.

       Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``October 1, 2030'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``December 9, 2030''.

     SEC. 6. EXPANSION AND EXTENSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) Expansion.--Subsection (a) of section 2041 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``or permanent housing'' after ``shelter'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``named in, or 
     approved by the Secretary under, section 5902 of this title'' 
     and inserting ``that is the recipient of a grant under 
     section 2011, 2013, 2044, or 2061 of this title''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, tribal entity,'' 
     after ``State''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3)(B)--
       (A) in clause (i), by inserting ``or to sell or rent the 
     property directly to homeless veterans or veterans at-risk of 
     homelessness'' after ``families''; and
       (B) in each of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), by striking 
     the comma and inserting a semicolon.
       (b) Extension.--Subsection (c) of such section is amended 
     by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 
     30, 2025''.

     SEC. 7. 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 within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 2878, 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 am pleased to speak on H.R. 2878, as amended, the 
Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program 
Act, introduced by Congressman Gallego.
  Started in 2009, the VetSuccess On Campus Program helps student 
veterans succeed and thrive through delivery of on-campus benefits, 
assistance, and counseling. This outreach is intended to help veterans 
complete their education and prepare them for jobs.
  Since its inception, the program has expanded multiple times, and 
currently supports 104 schools across the country and is served by 87 
VetSuccess counselors.

                              {time}  1500

  However, Tribal colleges and universities are not currently served by 
the VetSuccess program, creating a gap in access to the services and 
benefits our Native American veterans have earned.
  Madam Speaker, Native veterans serve in the Armed Forces at five 
times the national average, and have served with distinction in every 
major conflict for over 200 years. Native Americans have the highest 
per capita involvement of any population in service in the U.S. 
military, yet these same communities that serve disproportionately in 
our military don't see the same resources delivered back to their 
communities.
  Congressman Gallego's legislation begins to close this gap by 
creating the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities 
Pilot Program Act at three sites around the Nation serving Tribal 
colleges.
  But that is not all. This legislation also includes additional 
improvements that will deliver more benefits to all veterans using 
their earned educational benefits.
  Included in this legislation is expanded housing benefits for 
veterans as they seek to finish programs of education; additional 
funding for high-technology education courses to serve more veterans 
during our economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic; and an 
extension of VA housing partnerships with local communities to house 
more veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
  Madam Speaker, I applaud Congressman Gallego, a veteran himself, for 
bringing this package to us, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
supporting the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities 
Pilot Program Act.
  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. 2878, as amended, the 
Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program 
Act.
  This bill would direct the VA to carry out pilot programs on at least 
two Tribal colleges or university campuses.
  During the pilot, a VetSuccess counselor would be assigned to these 
campuses to help eligible veterans navigate VA programs and benefits.
  I support the underlying bill. I am also pleased that the bill, as 
amended, included many Republican provisions.

[[Page H2371]]

  This bill includes the revised text of Congresswoman Miller-Meeks' 
bill, H.R. 2335, the VET TEC Enhancement Act of 2021. Her bill would 
increase funding for the popular VET TEC pilot program to ensure that 
funding does not run out before the end of the fiscal year. The bill 
also provides additional funding for those programs in fiscal year 2022 
and 2023.
  Madam Speaker, I am glad we authorized additional funds for this 
important program that is putting veterans back to work with a 70 
percent placement rate. I think we would be hard-pressed to find 
another program with such a high rate of success.
  This bill also includes the text of Congressman Mann's bill, H.R. 
2419, the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act of 2021. 
Congressman Mann's provision would authorize the VA to sell, lease, 
rent or donate homes to homeless veterans providers.
  These homes were acquired by the VA due to veterans defaulting on 
their VA-guaranteed home loans. This change would increase the stock of 
affordable housing that is available to house homeless veterans.
  Finally, this bill would provide authorization for the VA to continue 
the practice of rounding out the semester for GI Bill students. This 
practice ensures that the students who are finishing their education 
early are able to take an additional class to receive their full 
housing stipend.
  I am dismayed that, without this legislative fix, the Biden 
administration is poised to end the decades-long practice on August 1.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Levin for working with us to ensure 
rounding out continues and students are not hurt by the VA's decision. 
I also thank Congresswoman Miller-Meeks and Congressman Mann for their 
hard work on both of these bills.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Gallego), my good friend and an author of this 
legislation, H.R. 2878, and a member of the House Veterans' Affairs 
Committee.
  Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 
2878, the Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot 
Program Act.
  I thank Chair Takano for bringing this bill to the floor. I also 
thank my co-leads on this legislation: Representative Dusty Johnson, 
Representative   Tom O'Halleran, and Representative   Tom Cole.
  Native Americans have served our country in every war since the 
American Revolution. To this day, Native Americans volunteer to serve 
at higher rates than any other demographic group. I, myself, served 
alongside Native American Marines in Iraq.
  Indigenous peoples have a decorated history of service, yet Native 
veterans have less access to benefits than other groups of veterans. 
That must change.
  Today, we consider a bill that will give Native veterans attending 
Tribal colleges and universities access to an already successful 
student veteran program, the VetSuccess on Campus Program.
  The VetSuccess program helps student veterans graduate on time, 
successfully enter the workforce, and access VA benefits at over 100 
colleges and universities. H.R. 2878 would extend this successful 
program to TCUs in a regional model to reach as many Native veterans as 
possible. There is no time to waste in passing this important 
legislation.
  In addition to expanding the VetSuccess to Native veterans, H.R. 2878 
includes emergency funds for veteran technology education courses, 
known as VET TEC. The VET TEC program was created to allow veterans to 
pursue vocational training for 21st century careers in high-tech fields 
like software development, programming, coding, media, and more.

  During the pandemic, more veterans than ever are looking for training 
in high-skilled, high-tech careers, so much so that the VET TEC program 
has run out of money for this year already. That is why H.R. 2878 
includes an immediate influx of funds for VET TEC so more veterans can 
receive this critical funding.
  H.R. 2878 also includes a provision to fight veteran homelessness. 
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated our economy and healthcare system in 
general, disproportionately hurting veterans. We don't know yet the 
full impact of the pandemic on veteran homelessness, but we know 
veterans need our help immediately.
  My bill will extend the authorization allowing the VA to partner with 
nonprofits, States, Tribes, and localities to help more veterans find 
both temporary shelter and permanent housing. This provision will save 
veterans' lives, period.
  Finally, H.R. 2878 includes a provision to help student veterans keep 
their housing benefits in their final semester of education. Ensuring 
student veterans can remain housed for the duration of their education 
is essential to ensure that veterans graduate on time and can 
successfully enter the workforce.
  Before I close, I want to especially thank Representatives Miller-
Meeks, Levin, Mann, and Pappas for their work with me on this 
bipartisan bill.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, 
Representative Bost, for yielding to me.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Congressman Gallego's 
bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot 
Program Act.
  I am proud that this legislation was amended by the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee to include my bipartisan VET TEC Enhancement Act. This 
legislation, which I proudly introduced with a fellow veteran, 
Congressman Kahele, would increase the amount authorized to be 
appropriated for the Veteran Employment Through Technical Education 
Courses program.
  VET TEC is a 5-year pilot program that allows eligible veterans to 
use GI Bill-style benefits to attend innovative job training programs 
to prepare them for future employment in the technology industry.
  My bill to support our veterans would increase current funding for 
the VET TEC program from $45 million to $90 million per year to allow 
the VA to enroll more veterans in this popular program. This program 
ensures that our veterans have the tools they need to gain meaningful 
employment.
  To date, over 1,800 veterans have completed the VET TEC program and 
found well-paying jobs with an average salary of $57,000 per year.
  I have spoken to veterans' groups in my district and across the 
country, and there is overwhelming support for this commonsense 
program.
  This is another highly successful avenue to assist veterans 
reentering the civilian workforce, and I am proud to see the House 
taking action to support our veterans.
  In closing, I would like to thank Congressman Kahele for his 
partnership on this important issue, and Congressman Gallego for his 
support.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the bipartisan 
Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program 
Act.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), my good friend and chair of the 
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
  Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the veterans of 
our military who, following their service, are housing insecure.
  Although we have made significant strides in combating veteran 
homelessness, the fact remains that more than 37,000 veterans are 
homeless right now, and many more are worried about keeping a roof over 
their heads.
  That is why the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act is 
needed. I introduced this bill with Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations Ranking Member Mann, and it is included as part of H.R. 
2878 today.
  This legislation will allow the VA to continue to acquire homes 
through foreclosure, and then sell or lease these homes to veterans in 
need of housing.
  This much we know: A veteran who has sworn to give everything for the 
United States, up to and including their life, should not be without a 
roof over their head and a safe place to sleep when their service is 
over.

[[Page H2372]]

  As President Kennedy said of those who have served: ``As we express 
our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is 
not to utter words, but to live by them.''
  Let's show our veterans our gratitude by addressing housing 
insecurity and passing this legislation today, as well as the 
underlying bill sponsored by Representative Gallego.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentleman from Kansas 
(Mr. Mann), my good friend.
  Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight veterans bills 
before the House floor.
  I appreciate the opportunity to first highlight legislation that 
Representative Pappas and I introduced, aimed at helping veteran 
homelessness.
  H.R. 2878 and the Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act of 
2021 would increase the number of affordable housing options to help 
reduce the recent uptick in veteran homelessness due to the ongoing 
pandemic.
  Our job on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee is to ensure that we 
are taking care of and doing right by our veterans. This legislation 
works to do just that. Curbing veterans' homelessness and ensuring our 
Nation's heroes are not without shelter for themselves and 
their families is a top priority for me. There are over 37,000 veterans 
experiencing homelessness in America. This is not acceptable for our 
veterans, and we must be part of the solution.

  I was pleased to see the Department of VA and the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development align efforts to join forces to find ways 
to end veteran homelessness. One of the priorities mentioned by VA and 
HUD is increasing the supply and access to affordable housing.
  My legislation reauthorizes and amends the program that allows the 
Secretary of VA to sell, lease, rent or donate a home which was 
acquired by VA because a veteran defaulted on their VA-guaranteed home 
loan to a public housing authority, grant and per diem provider, or a 
Supportive Services for Veterans Families service provider.
  The public housing authority or providers could then use these homes 
to shelter other veterans and their families who are homeless or at 
risk of becoming homeless.
  By reauthorizing this program and removing some burdensome 
regulations from the old program, the number of affordable housing 
options in higher cost areas will increase and provide relief to 
veterans who have limited affordable housing options.
  I was pleased this legislation received bipartisan support from my 
colleagues on the committee, as well as many members not on the 
committee. This broad support shows a willingness by this House of 
Representatives to implement these impactful changes for our veterans 
across the country.
  I also had the opportunity to speak with VA Secretary McDonough when 
he visited VA facilities in Kansas. I spoke to him about the Affordable 
Housing for Homeless Veterans Act, and he was encouraged about the work 
we were doing in the committee to help veterans. I look forward to my 
continued partnership with Secretary McDonough and the VA.
  I also want to quickly highlight another piece of legislation I 
introduced along with Representative Lamb, the VA Equal Employment 
Counseling Modernization Act.

                              {time}  1515

  This legislation removes burdensome regulations by simply removing 
the cap on the number of full-time employees at the Department of 
Veterans Affairs who provide equal opportunity employment counseling. 
It is a small, incremental change, but changes like this help the VA 
get our veterans into jobs quickly and ensure we are giving them the 
best care and guidance possible.
  I thank Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost for allowing me to 
speak on behalf of the Affordable Housing for Veterans Act. I look 
forward to passing these pieces of legislation and continuing to work 
with everyone to help veterans.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
the State of Hawaii (Mr. Kahele).
  Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
yielding me time.
  Madam Speaker, today, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 2878, the 
bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot 
Program, which includes a bill that I co-led with my esteemed colleague 
from Iowa's Second Congressional District, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, 
the VET TEC Enhancement Act.
  In our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, our veterans 
and their families have sacrificed so much to protect our Nation and 
keep our country whole. We owe them our thanks, we owe them our 
respect, but most importantly, we owe them our support as they 
transition back into civilian life once their service is over.
  The Veteran Employment Through Technical Education Courses, or VET 
TEC, is a 5-year pilot program that allows eligible veterans to use GI 
Bill-style benefits to attend innovative job training programs and 
prepare them for future employment in the technology industry. Our bill 
would expand funding of this program from $45 million to $125 million a 
year, allowing more of our men and women in uniform to enroll each 
year.
  The VET TEC program is highly popular and has a 90 percent completion 
rate, giving our veterans the tools they need to gain meaningful 
employment in well-paying jobs. No servicemember who has taken the oath 
to protect and defend our country should be left behind in today's 21st 
century workforce. I am proud to co-lead this important legislation, 
and I look forward to its passage and benefit to America's 
servicemembers. Mahalo.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. In closing, I 
ask all my colleagues to join me in passing this important piece of 
legislation, H.R. 2878, as amended, and 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. 2878, 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. ROSENDALE. 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.

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