Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 981) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processes to approve programs of education for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 981

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 Transparency and Training Act'' or the ``VETT Act''. SEC. 2. PROCESSES TO APPROVE PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION FOR PURPOSES OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) Limitation of Disapproval of Programs of Education for Failure To Provide Certain Forms.--Section 3679(f)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``this paragraph'' and inserting ``this subparagraph'';

(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``this paragraph'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A)''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

``(C) If an educational institution cannot provide to an individual a form under paragraph (1) that contains all of the information required under subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, the educational institution shall provide to such individual, with the form under such paragraph, a notice--

``(i) that specifies what such information may be inaccurate or incomplete; and

``(ii) that includes, in place of the information that may be inaccurate or incomplete, the best estimate available on the date of such notice.''.

(b) Publication of Information About Training for School Certifying Officials.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a website to serve as a central location for the publication of information about the training that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides for school certifying officials and shall update such information on a regular basis.

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Mr. BOST. 981.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 981 offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), my friend and colleague.

The bill would improve the information schools are required to give individuals regarding GI Bill benefits.

Currently, schools are required to give an estimated cost of education to anyone who potentially will use the GI Bill. However, there are cases where a school cannot accurately estimate the tuition and expenses for the year. This means that the schools are providing misleading information that serves the interests of the institution over the veterans due to bureaucratic obstacles.

I support a veteran getting accurate estimates of what their expenses would look like. I do not support veterans having to choose a school based off of incorrect financial information.

Without this fix, veterans are having to make a choice that could harm them financially in the future.

This change is a commonsense addition to the Trump administration's mission to make VA work for veterans.

Finally, this bill would also ensure that schools have a central place to find information to train their staff in charge of helping to make sure students and veterans understand.

In a time when government is filled with bureaucratic red tape, I am happy that we, as a Republican majority, are making it easier for veterans to get an education.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 981, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), who is the chief sponsor of the bill.

Mr. VAN ORDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, the Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act, or the VETT Act.

This bill addresses critical barriers that veterans currently face with accessing educational benefits that they have earned through their dedicated service to our Nation. It helps ensure a smoother, more effective transition back into civilian life.

Specifically, my legislation requires educational institutions to clearly provide estimated tuition costs to potential GI Bill students. If an institution cannot accurately estimate the tuition, they must explain exactly why, and this transparency ensures veterans aren't misled by inaccurate information, preventing unnecessary debt that they would accrue.

The bill directs the VA to establish an online resource center, a centralized hub regularly updated to include all available training for school certifying officials, and this simple change provides essential flexibility for institutions, such as police academies and truck driving schools, ensuring that they can effectively support veterans and their families.

At a time when this bureaucratic red tape has been strangling our veterans, when it has become a barrier rather than a bridge, I am proud to champion a bill that directly helps veterans reduce unnecessary government hurdles.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation aligns perfectly with President Trump's mission to make the VA truly work for our veterans. I urge all Members to support H.R. 981.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I encourage all of our Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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