[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H1933-H1935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL SKILLS OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2025
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1458) to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the
criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for
purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1458
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 Education and
Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025'' or the ``VETS
Opportunity Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. REPAYMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR
CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE: TIMING; MECHANISM FOR INDIVIDUALS
NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A MONTHLY HOUSING STIPEND.
(a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 3327 of title
38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``together'' and all that
follows through ``before'' and inserting ``not later than 60
days after''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Additional assistance for an individual not eligible
for a monthly housing stipend.--In the case of an individual
making an election under subsection (a) who is described by
subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that
subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend
payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational
assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall
be paid--
``(A) in a lump sum calculated by multiplying--
``(i) the total amount of contributions described in
paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and
``(ii) the sum of the number of months described in
subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards
to such individual; and
``(B) to the individual not later than 60 days after the
exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational
assistance under this chapter.''.
(b) Technical Corrections and Conforming Amendment.--Such
subsection is further amended--
(1) by striking ``paragraphs (2) through (7)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (2) through (6)''; and
(2) in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting ``for an
individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend'' after
``Additional assistance''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect on August 1, 2026.
SEC. 3. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAMS UNDER
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such
title is amended--
[[Page H1934]]
(1) by inserting ``that requires regular and substantive
interaction between students and instructors'' after ``course
of study'';
(2) in item (aa), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(3) in item (bb), by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``;
or''; and
(4) by adding at the end by following new item:
``(cc) an institution of higher education, as such term is
defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or
participating in the student financial assistance programs
authorized by title IV of that Act; and''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as
applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2026.
SEC. 4. ABSENCE FROM CERTAIN EDUCATION DUE TO CERTAIN
SERVICE.
(a) Options.--Section 3691A of such title is amended by
striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``(1) A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter
a period of covered service--
``(A) withdraw from covered education;
``(B) take a leave of absence from covered education; or
``(C) subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement
with the institution concerned to complete a course of
covered education to the satisfaction of such institution
concerned.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Such subsection is further
amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``or takes a leave
of absence'' and inserting ``, takes a leave of absence, or
enters into an agreement''.
(c) Agreement.--Such section is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new
subsection (d):
``(d) Agreement With Institution Concerned.--A covered
member may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only
if the covered member has completed at least half of a course
of covered education.''.
(d) Section Heading.--Such section is further amended by
striking the heading and inserting ``Absence from certain
education due to certain service''.
(e) Table of Sections.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the
following new item:
``3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service.''.
SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMPLIANCE SURVEYS.
Section 3693 of such title is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``not more than 10 business days of
notice'';
(B) by striking ``this section.'' and inserting ``this
section--''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(1) in the case of an educational institution or training
establishment with a time stamp database collection feature,
not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of
notice; and
``(2) in the case of any other educational institution or
training establishment, not more than 10 business days of
notice.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following
new subsection (d):
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The terms `educational institution' and `training
establishment' have the meanings given such terms in section
3452 of this title.
``(2) The term `school certifying official' means an
employee of an educational institution with primary
responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the
educational institution.''.
SEC. 6. NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIALS OF
HANDBOOK UPDATES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 14 business days after
updating the school certifying official handbook of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying
officials of such update.
(b) School Certifying Official Defined.--The term ``school
certifying official'' means an employee of an educational
institution with primary responsibility for certifying
veteran enrollment at the educational institution.
SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``January 31, 2033'' and inserting ``May
31, 2034''.
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
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
H.R. 1458, as amended.
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. 1458, as amended,
offered by my friend and colleague, Representative Juan Ciscomani of
Arizona.
This bill would modernize the GI Bill by approving hybrid and online
independent study programs to meet veterans' needs. During the COVID
pandemic, these institutions offered classes in both online and hybrid
settings to stop the spread of COVID. These institutions also received
GI Bill funding during that time. Many of these institutions were even
told to move their programs to fully remote.
This bill would allow these education programs to receive funding
again and get more veterans into successful programs. It is clearer
than ever that VA education programs need to meet veterans where they
are and not the other way around.
Additionally, this bill would ensure guard and reserves who get
called up on orders during a semester can receive a grade. This bill
would also give school certifying officials, or SCOs, time to prepare
for a required survey to ensure there is no fraud, waste, or abuse at
the GI Bill-eligible institution.
Finally, this bill would also allow servicemembers and veterans who
paid into the Montgomery GI Bill to receive their $1,200 refund if they
chose to fully use their post-9/11 GI Bill.
I am fully supportive of this bill as we must ensure that VA services
veterans first.
This bill would not only give freedom of choice for what institution
veterans can attend, but when a veteran does go to school, they would
receive more protection when they are called up to protect this
country.
I thank Representative John James of Michigan and Representative
Ronny Jackson of Texas for introducing important provisions to this
language, and I thank my friend, Representative Ciscomani, for
introducing this bill and continuing to be a champion of improving
education opportunities for veterans and their dependents.
My committee will continue to seek ways to level the playing field
for veterans seeking education and employment so that every veteran has
access to the opportunities that they want, all the while protecting
the taxpayers' investment and these programs.
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1458, as
amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise to express my qualified support for H.R. 1458,
the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025, as amended. I support the
improvements made by most of the bill, but I have concerns about some
of the provisions within this legislation.
Specifically, I worry that section 3 of the bill, which would
authorize the use of post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for independent study
programs taught at non-degree-granting, for-profit institutions, might
be used by predatory operators to target veterans with subpar programs
and rob them of the benefits they have so rightfully earned.
While I believe that student veterans should have the freedom to
pursue higher education in the manner that is most effective for them,
H.R. 1458 risks unnecessarily exposing student veterans to bad actors
and scams. With the U.S. Department of Education's ability to provide
oversight in jeopardy, expanding program approvals for new programs now
is misguided.
The GI Bill is one of the most important tools we have to support the
long-term success and economic mobility of veterans. With that comes a
responsibility to ensure that the programs we approve for GI Bill
funding are high quality and accountable and lead to meaningful
employment.
H.R. 1458, while well intentioned, opens the door for a surge in non-
degree-granting, for-profit providers seeking to enroll veterans in
high-cost, low-quality programs that, in a troubling number of cases,
fail to deliver on their promises.
The lack of minimal quality assurance mechanisms for non-degree
programs is what led to congressional action to exclude them from
eligibility for the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program in
2013.
While I strongly support expanding educational access for our
Nation's veterans, H.R. 1458, as it is currently
[[Page H1935]]
drafted, may have unintended consequences. Veterans deserve the widest
possible array of educational opportunities, but not at the cost of
diminished quality, oversight, or value.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1730
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the concerns of the minority,
and I would like to dispel some misinformation provided by the ranking
member.
H.R. 1458 would expand the way in which the GI Bill benefits can be
used by veterans, but it would not remove any of the guardrails in
place to keep out bad actors. In fact, the bill would require regular
and additional interaction between students and instructors, which
would add an additional meaningful guardrail for veteran providers.
In the most recent VA ``Annual Benefits Report,'' only 3.5 percent of
veterans pursued vocational or technical education, even though skilled
trades are among the fastest growing career opportunities in the United
States.
This bill would help tackle the current workforce shortage in skills
and trades in the U.S. while maintaining the oversight that VA has over
bad actors. Now the GI Bill already has limits on tuition payments
approval and quality standards to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in
the program.
Often, veterans may need to attend school or training online or
hybrid, not due to performance but due to the necessity of taking care
of their families or loved ones. This bill would respond to those
realities, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the
Senate to get the bill signed into law.
Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), the sponsor of this bill.
Mr. CISCOMANI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1458,
the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025, a bill I introduced to modernize
veterans' education benefits and align them with today's workforce
needs.
As I represent nearly 80,000 veterans in southern Arizona, I know
firsthand when servicemembers transition to civilian life, they bring
discipline, leadership, and a strong work ethic, but too often the
system limits how they can use the benefits that they earned. This bill
changes that by modernizing the GI Bill and expanding access to high-
quality certificates and technical training programs, possibly offered
in a hybrid format, that lead directly to good-paying jobs in high-
demand fields.
Not every veteran wants or needs a traditional 4-year degree. Many
want fast, skills-based training that connects them to careers in the
trades, healthcare, technology, and other critical fields. This bill
recognizes reality, and it gives veterans the flexibility to choose the
path that works best for them and their families.
Furthermore, this legislation includes clear protections to ensure
the program operates efficiently and that veterans' benefits are used
responsibly as well. Programs like this one must be accredited,
approved by the VA, and provide regular and substantive interaction
between instructors and students.
The VETS Opportunity Act is about modernizing our VA benefits and
programs to empower veterans, strengthen the workforce, and honor the
promise this country made to those who served. By strengthening
education benefits, we empower veterans, build a stronger workforce,
and drive a stronger economy.
This bill turns service into opportunity and commitment into careers.
That is what our veterans deserve, and that is what our communities
need.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1458 and vote
``yes.''
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, before I yield to the gentleman from North
Carolina, I do want to point out that the chairman was referring to
hybrid programs. Our concern is not about the hybrid programs, but
independent study, and that independent study loophole for for-profit,
private educational providers may allow for some abuse and targeting of
veterans in unintended ways. I do hope that our colleagues in the
Senate will give this a second look and possibly return this
legislation for final passage here.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina
(Mr. Davis), my good friend.
Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost and
Ranking Member Takano for their leadership.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1458, the VETS Opportunity
Act of 2025. As a proud United States Air Force veteran and voice for
over 56,000 veterans and their families in North Carolina's First
Congressional District, it was an honor to join and work with the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani) in introducing this bipartisan
legislation.
For too many veterans, the transition from military service to
civilian life comes with uncertainty about how to build a new career
and support their families. By expanding in-person and hybrid training
options for skilled trade programs, we are bridging skills gaps across
the country, empowering our veterans, and contributing to our local
economies.
Madam Speaker, I believe it is time to equip eastern North Carolina's
veterans and beyond with the training and skills they so need. I
encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I am ready to
close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Madam Speaker, I again express my qualified support for H.R. 1458,
the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025, as amended. I can't express that
enough.
I urge my colleagues to work with the Senate to improve this bill and
ensure that it is veterans who benefit from this legislation and not
bad actors.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to
support this 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. 1458, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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