Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 147) to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to transitional services for separating members of the Armed Forces and educational assistance under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 147
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 ``Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act'' or the ``BRAVE Act''. SEC. 2. EDUCATION FOR SEPARATING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES REGARDING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS.
Section 1144(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``(including apprenticeship programs registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; commonly referred to as the `National Apprenticeship Act') and approved under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38)'' after ``employment opportunities''. SEC. 3. WEBSITES REGARDING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.
(a) Website Under the Jurisdiction of Secretary of Labor.-- The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a user-friendly website (or update an existing website) that is available to the public on which veterans can find information about apprenticeship programs registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; commonly referred to as the ``National Apprenticeship Act'') and approved under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38, United States Code. Such information shall be searchable and sortable by occupation and location, and include, with regard to each such program, the following:
(1) A description, including any cost to a veteran.
(2) Contact information.
(3) Whether the program has been endorsed by a veterans service organization or nonprofit organization that caters to veterans.
(4) Whether the program prefers to hire veterans.
(5) Each certification or degree an individual earns by completing the program.
(b) Coordination With Other Website.--The Assistant Secretary shall update all information regarding programs for veterans listed on apprenticeship.gov (or any successor website) to include the information specified under subsection (a). SEC. 4. 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.
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Mr. TAKANO. 147, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 147, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act, or BRAVE Act, as amended.
This bill increases access to information regarding registered apprenticeships for veterans. Registered apprenticeships are an important component of our workforce system. They provide on-the-job training with an employer that teaches workers the practical and theoretical skills they need to succeed in a field, all while earning a paycheck.
The Department of Labor validates registered apprenticeships to ensure that participants are receiving high-quality instruction and training.
At the end of their program, apprentices receive a national, industry-recognized credential in their field.
This bill would require the Department of Labor to improve access to registered apprenticeships for transitioning servicemembers and veterans by maintaining a searchable website that connects them with employer programs that are endorsed by VSOs and other veteran-specific groups.
Registered apprenticeships provide a unique pathway into in-demand, high-quality jobs, and the BRAVE Act will make it easier for veterans to learn and earn when training for their careers.
This legislation is supported by numerous VSOs, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
I thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this legislation to improve employability for veterans through apprenticeships.
I also thank Chairman Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee, who has agreed to forgo committee action on H.R. 147, as amended, so that it can be considered on the floor today.
House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC, November 15, 2021.
Hon. Adam Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Smith: I write concerning H.R. 147 as amended, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act or the BRAVE Act. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services under House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 147 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of Committee on Armed Services conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Mark Takano,
Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC, November 15, 2021.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Takano: I write concerning H.R. 147 as amended, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act or the BRAVE Act. As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions within H.R. 147 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I forego any further consideration of this bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. The Committee on Armed Services takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 147 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Sincerely, Adam Smith, Chairman.
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Mr. TAKANO. Congressman Norcross serves on the House Armed Services Committee; Education and Labor Committee; and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 147, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
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