[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.
____________________