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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.
(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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 85
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