[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 170 (Monday, November 18, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6037-H6038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT READINESS YIELD ACT OF 2024
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7653) to amend title 38, United States Code, to update
certain terminology regarding veteran employment.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H. R. 7653
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 ``Veterans Employment
Readiness Yield Act of 2024'' or the ``VERY Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. UPDATE OF CERTAIN TERMINOLOGY REGARDING VETERAN
EMPLOYMENT.
Title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``employment handicap'' each place it
occurs and inserting ``employment barrier''; and
(2) by striking ``employment handicaps'' each place it
occurs and inserting ``employment barriers''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
H.R. 7653.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7653 offered by the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis).
Madam Speaker, the VERY Act would strike the term ``employment
handicap'' from the law that authorizes the Veteran Readiness and
Employment program and replace it with the term ``employment barrier.''
This term is used in the law to describe participants who are
eligible and entitled to receive benefits and services. The bill is a
simple fix that would remove a negative view of the term ``handicap''
and replace it with a more positive word.
This Congress, VA has made significant mistakes that have damaged
their relationship with veterans, and it is our job as Congress to help
VA rebuild trust with our veterans.
While the new Trump administration has many issues to fix that were
created by the current administration, this change is a step in the
right direction. This Congress, the Republican majority has worked hard
to improve the VR&E program.
Now, we have put the VA's feet to the fire to ensure that veterans
are put first when using the VR&E program. Representative Davis' bill
takes a step in the right direction to do exactly that.
We must continue to break down barriers to level the playing field
for veterans seeking employment. I thank the VFW and the DAV for
supporting this bill. I also recognize the work of my colleagues on the
other side of the aisle on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues
to support H.R. 7653.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7653, the Veterans
Employment Readiness Yield Act of 2024, introduced by the gentleman
from North Carolina (Mr. Davis), my good friend.
The Veteran Readiness and Employment, or VR&E, program offers vital
services to help veterans and servicemembers with service-connected
disabilities and those determined to have an employment handicap
prepare for, find, and maintain suitable employment or live more
independently.
This bill would replace the terms ``employment handicap'' and
``serious employment handicap'' with the terms ``employment barrier''
and ``serious employment barrier.''
Historically, the term ``handicap'' has been associated with
disadvantage or burden, which does not accurately reflect our veteran
population. By making this change, we acknowledge the challenges that
veterans with service-connected disabilities often face in the job
market. Eliminating the stigma associated with these disabilities will
encourage more veterans to participate in the VR&E program, ultimately
assisting them in preparing for and securing meaningful employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs requested this change, which has
bipartisan support and incurs no cost.
I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis) for his work on
[[Page H6038]]
veterans' issues during his first term in office. I am proud of his
work to open doors at VA for more veterans so they may access the
benefits they have earned through their service.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis), my good friend and also a
veteran who is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and House
Armed Services Committee.
Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me time.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7653, the Veterans
Employment Readiness Yield Act. On behalf of North Carolina's First
Congressional District's veterans, who I am proud to represent, I urge
my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.
I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), in particular,
who co-led the bill with me; the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for
moving it forward; and, also, the Disabled American Veterans and
Paralyzed Veterans of America for endorsing this legislation.
H.R. 7653 amends terminology in the Veteran Readiness and Employment
program to replace the term ``employment handicap'' with ``employment
barrier'' and the term ``serious employment handicap'' with ``serious
employment barrier,'' while leaving the definitions unchanged.
The Veteran Readiness and Employment program helps former
servicemembers find jobs and ensure their mental and financial well-
being. Updating the terminology will improve efficiency and encourage
disabled veterans to use the VR&E program.
No veteran should have any discomfort advocating for themselves and
seeking help for their service-connected disabilities. We will not stop
fighting until every disabled veteran has what they need to get the
assistance that they deserve and have earned.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, in closing, I support H.R. 7653, the Veterans
Employment Readiness Yield Act of 2024, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 7653.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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