[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 199 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6289-H6291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     BRINGING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS TO VETERANS EDUCATION ACT

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 147) to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make 
certain improvements to transitional services for separating members of 
the Armed Forces and educational assistance under laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 147

       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 ``Bringing Registered 
     Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act'' or the ``BRAVE 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. EDUCATION FOR SEPARATING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
                   REGARDING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS.

       Section 1144(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting ``(including apprenticeship programs 
     registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; 
     commonly referred to as the `National Apprenticeship Act') 
     and approved under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38)'' 
     after ``employment opportunities''.

     SEC. 3. WEBSITES REGARDING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

       (a) Website Under the Jurisdiction of Secretary of Labor.--
     The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and 
     Training, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, shall establish a user-friendly website (or update 
     an existing website) that is available to the public on which 
     veterans can find information about apprenticeship programs 
     registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; 
     commonly referred to as the ``National Apprenticeship Act'') 
     and approved under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38, United 
     States Code. Such information shall be searchable and 
     sortable by occupation and location, and include, with regard 
     to each such program, the following:
       (1) A description, including any cost to a veteran.
       (2) Contact information.
       (3) Whether the program has been endorsed by a veterans 
     service organization or nonprofit organization that caters to 
     veterans.
       (4) Whether the program prefers to hire veterans.
       (5) Each certification or degree an individual earns by 
     completing the program.
       (b) Coordination With Other Website.--The Assistant 
     Secretary shall update all information regarding programs for 
     veterans listed on apprenticeship.gov (or any successor 
     website) to include the information specified under 
     subsection (a).

     SEC. 4. 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.

[[Page H6290]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to insert extraneous material on H.R. 147, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 147, the Bringing 
Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act, or BRAVE Act, as 
amended.
  This bill increases access to information regarding registered 
apprenticeships for veterans. Registered apprenticeships are an 
important component of our workforce system. They provide on-the-job 
training with an employer that teaches workers the practical and 
theoretical skills they need to succeed in a field, all while earning a 
paycheck.
  The Department of Labor validates registered apprenticeships to 
ensure that participants are receiving high-quality instruction and 
training.
  At the end of their program, apprentices receive a national, 
industry-recognized credential in their field.
  This bill would require the Department of Labor to improve access to 
registered apprenticeships for transitioning servicemembers and 
veterans by maintaining a searchable website that connects them with 
employer programs that are endorsed by VSOs and other veteran-specific 
groups.
  Registered apprenticeships provide a unique pathway into in-demand, 
high-quality jobs, and the BRAVE Act will make it easier for veterans 
to learn and earn when training for their careers.
  This legislation is supported by numerous VSOs, including Iraq and 
Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and 
Paralyzed Veterans of America.
  I thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing this legislation 
to the floor, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this 
legislation to improve employability for veterans through 
apprenticeships.
  I also thank Chairman Adam Smith of the House Armed Services 
Committee, who has agreed to forgo committee action on H.R. 147, as 
amended, so that it can be considered on the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, November 15, 2021.
      Hon. Adam Smith,
      Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
        Dear Mr. Smith: I write concerning H.R. 147 as amended, 
     the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education 
     Act or the BRAVE Act. I appreciate your willingness to work 
     cooperatively on this legislation.
        I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services under House 
     Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 147 
     to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that 
     the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does 
     not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters 
     contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I 
     will also support the appointment of Committee on Armed 
     Services conferees during any House-Senate conference 
     convened on this legislation.
        Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your 
     cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to 
     continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the 
     legislative process.
            Sincerely,
                                                      Mark Takano,
      Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Armed Services,

                                Washington, DC, November 15, 2021.
      Hon. Mark Takano,
      Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
        Dear Mr. Takano: I write concerning H.R. 147 as amended, 
     the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education 
     Act or the BRAVE Act. As a result of your having consulted 
     with us on provisions within H.R. 147 that fall within the 
     Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I 
     forego any further consideration of this bill so that it may 
     proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
        The Committee on Armed Services takes this action with our 
     mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 
     147 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over 
     subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and 
     that our committee will be appropriately consulted and 
     involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so 
     that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. 
     Further, I request your support for the appointment of 
     conferees from the Committee on Armed Services during any 
     House-Senate conference convened on this or related 
     legislation.
        Please place a copy of this letter and your response 
     acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on 
     the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in 
     which you have worked regarding this matter and others 
     between our respective committees.
            Sincerely,
                                                       Adam Smith,
                                                         Chairman.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 147, as amended, the 
BRAVE Act.
  Every year, nearly 200,000 servicemen and -women transition out of 
Active Duty and into the civilian sector.
  This bill would require the Department of Defense to provide 
information on apprenticeship programs to separating servicemembers who 
are practicing in the Transition Assistance Program.
  The BRAVE Act would also require the Department of Labor to establish 
a website that includes information on national apprenticeships and 
those approved for the GI Bill benefits so it is readily available to 
the transitioning servicemembers.
  Last month's unemployment numbers showed that while the unemployment 
rate for nonveterans decreased, the unemployment rate for veterans 
increased slightly. This is concerning, and I am hopeful that improving 
the way that we provide information to our veterans about available 
apprenticeships may provide veterans with more opportunity for great 
jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 147, as amended, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Norcross), my good friend and the author of this 
legislation. Congressman Norcross serves on the House Armed Services 
Committee; Education and Labor Committee; and the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee.
  Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
  This is National Apprenticeship Week, and what better time for the 
passage of H.R. 147, the BRAVE Act.
  I am a product of a registered apprenticeship program and the father 
of a veteran.
  The Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act, or 
the BRAVE Act, would help those returning veterans find good-paying 
jobs and careers.
  When we send our servicemembers to war, we train them and equip them, 
and we give them the skills they need to protect and defend the United 
States. We do this because we want them to succeed wherever they are 
needed, be it on the battlefield or rendering humanitarian assistance 
around the world. They deserve the same level of support when they 
leave the service and transition back to civilian life.
  One of the best ways to help our vets transition is by providing them 
meaningful work opportunities or careers. Registered apprenticeships 
are one of the best ways, if not the best way, in the history of the 
United States for people to gain those skills. Registered 
apprenticeships allow the returning soldier to earn while they learn 
in-demand skills that are so desperately needed for family-sustaining 
careers.
  Ninety-two percent of those who complete a registered apprenticeship 
program stay employed, and the average salary for graduates is $72,000. 
That is nearly $20,000 more than the average college graduate, with no 
student debt.
  The BRAVE Act will connect veterans to these resources, helping them 
to transition to fulfilling civilian careers.
  It is fitting that the vote for the BRAVE Act takes place during 
National Apprenticeship Week.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support our veterans in their pursuit 
of a good career and a good-paying job by voting for the BRAVE Act.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support 
this

[[Page H6291]]

bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 
passing H.R. 147, 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. 147, 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. TAKANO. Mr. 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.

                          ____________________