Bill · H.R. 980· House(119-HR-980)
Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/5/2025
- Last activity
- 2/3/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Derrick Van Orden
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025," aims to improve various Department of Veterans Affairs services. It removes the requirement that certain on-campus educational and vocational counseling must be provided by specific Department employees. It also grants the Secretary of Veterans Affairs authority to approve non-degree flight training courses for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of dedicated contact information for vocational rehabilitation and sets a 30-day deadline for extension requests. Finally, it extends certain limits on pension payments.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+5
The bill enhances veteran services by allowing more flexible counseling, expanded vocational training options like flight courses, and faster processing of program extensions.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+5
The bill expands vocational rehabilitation options through flight training, improves counseling flexibility, and establishes clearer communication channels for veterans.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill mandates annual reporting on extension requests to Congressional committees and requires regional offices to provide contact information on their websites.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 402–2
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
02/02/2026 · Roll call 49 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Access to Counseling: By striking the requirement that on-campus counseling be provided by specific Department employees, the bill allows for more flexibility in how educational and vocational counseling is delivered (Section 2).
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Flight Training Opportunities: The Secretary may now approve rehabilitation programs that include flight training courses not tied to a standard college degree for certain veterans with service-sconnected disabilities (Section 3).
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Better Communication and Outreach: The Secretary is required to establish a dedicated telephone number for services under this chapter and mandates that regional offices provide a name, telephone number, and email address on their websites to help veterans receive information (Section 4).
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Timely Extension Decisions: The bill requires the Secretary to approve or deny requests for program extensions within 30 days of a veteran submitting the request (Section 4).
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Accountability through Reporting: The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congressional committees regarding the number of extension requests, as well as how many were approved or denied (Section 4).
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Extended Pension Limits: The bill extends the date for certain limits on payments of pension from January 31, 2033, to July 31, 2033 (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+3
- 2/3/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2/2/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 2 (Roll no. 49). (text: CR H1929)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 2 (Roll no. 49). (text: CR H1929)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1936)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 980.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1929-1930)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 8/15/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-228.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 186.
- 5/6/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 4/9/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 3/11/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 3/7/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House