Native Vetsuccess At Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act

Floor Speech

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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.

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