19–006 

112TH CONGRESS REPT. 112–242 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session Part 1 

VETERANS OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ACT OF 2011 

OCTOBER 11, 2011.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. MILLER of Florida, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 2433] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 2433) to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and 

training of veterans, and for other purposes, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Amendment .............................................................................................................. 2 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 9 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 10 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 19 

Committee Considerations ...................................................................................... 20 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 20 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 20 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 20 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 21 

Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits .................................................................. 21 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 21 

Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate .......................................................... 21 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 31 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 31 

Statement of Constitutional Authority .................................................................. 31 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 31 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 31 


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Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 35 

Dissenting Views ..................................................................................................... 49 

AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Opportunity to Work 

Act of 2011’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

TITLE I—RETRAINING VETERANS 

Sec. 101. Veterans retraining assistance program. 

TITLE II—IMPROVING THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

Sec. 201. Transition Assistance Program contracting. 

Sec. 202. Mandatory participation in Transition Assistance Program. 

Sec. 203. Report on Transition Assistance Program. 

Sec. 204. Transition Assistance Program outcomes. 

Sec. 205. Comptroller General review. 

TITLE III—IMPROVING THE TRANSITION OF VETERANS TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT 

Sec. 301. Reauthorization and improvement of demonstration project on credentialing and licensure of veterans. 

Sec. 302. Inclusion of performance measures in annual report on veteran job counseling, training, and placement programs of the Department of Labor. 

Sec. 303. Clarification of priority of service for veterans in Department of Labor job training programs. 

Sec. 304. Evaluation of individuals receiving training at the National Veterans’ Employment and Training 

Services Institute. 

Sec. 305. Requirements for full-time disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment representatives. 

Sec. 306. Report on findings of the Department of Defense and Department of Labor credentialing work group. 

TITLE IV—IMPROVEMENTS TO UNIFORMED SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT 

RIGHTS 

Sec. 401. Clarification of benefits of employment covered under USERRA. 

TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS 

Sec. 501. Extension of certain expiring provisions of law. 

Sec. 502. Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan guarantees for surviving spouses of certain totally disabled veterans. 

Sec. 503. Extension of homeless veterans reintegration programs. 

Sec. 504. Reimbursement rate for ambulance services. 

Sec. 505. Annual reports on Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. 

Sec. 506. Limitation on amount authorized to be appropriated for employee travel, printing, and fleet vehicles. 

Sec. 507. Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans covered by Medicaid plans for services furnished 

by nursing facilities. 

Sec. 508. Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010. 

TITLE I—RETRAINING VETERANS 

SEC. 101. VETERANS RETRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 

(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with this section, during the period beginning 

on June 1, 2012, and ending on March 31, 2014, the Secretary of Labor shall 

provide for monthly payments of retraining assistance to eligible veterans. Payments of retraining assistance under this section shall be made by the Secretary 

of Labor through the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

(2) NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VETERANS.—The number of eligible veterans who 

participate in the program may not exceed— 

(A) 45,000 during fiscal year 2012; and 

(B) 55,000 during the period beginning October 1, 2012, and ending 

March 31, 2014. 

(b) RETRAINING ASSISTANCE.—Except as provided by subsection (i), each veteran 

who participates in the program established under subsection (a)(1) shall be entitled 

to up to 12 months of retraining assistance, as determined by the Secretary of 

Labor. Such retraining assistance may only be used by the veteran to pursue a program of education (as such term is defined in section 3452(b) of title 38, United 

States Code) or training on a full-time basis that— 

(1) is approved under chapter 36 of such title; 

(2) is offered by a community college or technical school; 


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(3) leads to an associates degree or a certificate (or other similar evidence of 

the completion of the program of education or training); and 

(4) is designed to provide training for a high-demand occupation, as determined by the Secretary of Labor. 

(c) MONTHLY CERTIFICATION.—Each veteran who participates in the program established under subsection (a)(1) shall certify to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

the enrollment of the veteran in a program of education described in subsection (b) 

for each month in which the veteran participates in the program. 

(d) AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE.—The monthly amount of the retraining assistance 

payable under this section is the amount in effect under section 3015(a)(1) of title 

38, United States Code. 

(e) ELIGIBILITY.—For purposes of this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran 

who— 

(1) is at least 35 years of age but not more than 60 years of age; 

(2) was last discharged from active duty service in the Armed Forces with an 

honorable discharge; 

(3) as of the date of the submittal of the application for assistance under this 

section, has been unemployed for a period of time determined by the Secretary, 

with special consideration given to veterans who have been unemployed for at 

least 26 continuous weeks; 

(4) is not eligible to apply for educational assistance under chapter 30, 31, 33, 

or 35 of title 38, United States Code; and 

(5) by not later than October 1, 2013, submits to the Secretary of Labor an 

application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may 

require. 

(f) REPORT.—Not later than July 1, 2014, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 

the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the retraining assistance 

provided under this section, including— 

(1) the total number of— 

(A) eligible veterans who participated; 

(B) credit hours completed; and 

(C) associates degrees or certificates awarded (or other similar evidence 

of the completion of the program of education or training earned); and 

(2) data related to the employment status of eligible veterans who participated. 

(g) JOINT AGREEMENT.—The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement on carrying out this section. 

(h) SOURCE OF FUNDS.—Payments under this section shall be made from amounts 

appropriated to the readjustment benefits account of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs. 

(i) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority to make payments under this section shall terminate on March 31, 2014. 

TITLE II—IMPROVING THE TRANSITION 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

SEC. 201. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CONTRACTING. 

(a) TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CONTRACTING.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 4113 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to 

read as follows: 

‘‘§ 4113. Transition Assistance Program personnel 

‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.—In accordance with section 1144 of title 10, the 

Secretary shall enter into a contract with an appropriate private entity or entities 

to provide the functions described in subsection (b) at all locations where the program described in such section is carried out. 

‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.—Contractors under subsection (a) shall provide to members of 

the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty (and the spouses of 

such members) the services described in section 1144(a)(1) of title 10, including— 

‘‘(1) counseling; 

‘‘(2) assistance in identifying employment and training opportunities and help 

in obtaining such employment and training; 

‘‘(3) other related information and services under such section; and 

‘‘(4) any other services that the Secretary determines are appropriate.’’. 


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(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 

41 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to 

section 4113 and inserting the following new item: 

‘‘4113. Transition Assistance Program personnel.’’. 

(b) DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Labor shall enter into the 

contract required by section 4113 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), by not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 202. MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 

Section 1144(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘shall encourage’’ and all that follows and inserting ‘‘shall encourage the participation of 

members of the armed forces in pay grades E-8 and above and O-6 and above who 

are eligible for assistance under the program and shall require the participation of 

all other members of the armed forces who are eligible for assistance under the program unless a documented urgent operational requirement prevents attendance or 

an individual service member, with written approval of their commander, chooses 

to decline participation, in writing, based on post-service employment or acceptance 

to an education program. Such documentation shall be included in the personnel 

record of the member.’’. 

SEC. 203. REPORT ON TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 

Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 

following new subsection: 

‘‘(e) REPORTS AND AUDITS.—(1) Not later than January 30 of each year, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 

and House of Representatives a report on the program established under this section that includes the number of members of the armed forces eligible for assistance 

under the program who participated in the program within 30, 90, and 180 days 

of being separated from active duty, and the percentages of all such eligible participants who participated within each such time period. 

‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary of Labor shall enter into a contract with an appropriate entity to conduct an audit of the program established under this section not less frequently than once every three years and to submit to the Secretary of Defense, the 

Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the 

results of each such audit. 

‘‘(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary of Labor shall enter into 

the contract under subparagraph (A) with an appropriate entity that is a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans or a small business concern owned 

and controlled by service-disabled veterans and that is included in the database of 

veteran-owned businesses maintained under subsection (f) of section 8127 of title 38 

and verified by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (4) of that subsection. 

‘‘(ii) If the Secretary of Labor is unable to enter into the contract under subparagraph (A) with a qualified business concern described in clause (i), the Secretary 

shall enter into such contract with another qualified appropriate entity. 

‘‘(C) The Secretary of Labor shall enter into the contract under this paragraph 

using funds made available for the State grant program authorized under section 

4102A of title 38.’’. 

SEC. 204. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OUTCOMES. 

Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 202 and 203, 

is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(f) PROGRAM OUTCOMES.—The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense 

shall jointly develop a method to assess the outcomes for individuals who participate 

in the program established under this section. Such method shall be designed to determine the following outcomes: 

‘‘(1) The length of the period during which the individual was unemployed following the individual’s separation from active duty. 

‘‘(2) The beginning salary paid to the individual for the first job the individual 

obtained following such separation. 

‘‘(3) The number of months of school or other training the individual attended 

during the first 12-month period following such separation.’’. 

SEC. 205. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW. 

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, and submit to 

Congress a report on the results of the review and any recommendations of the 

Comptroller General for improving the program. 


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TITLE III—IMPROVING THE TRANSITION OF 

VETERANS TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT 

SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ON 

CREDENTIALING AND LICENSURE OF VETERANS. 

Section 4114 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subsection (b)— 

(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘not less than 10’’ and inserting ‘‘not less 

than 5 but not more than 10’’; and 

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘consult with appropriate Federal, State, 

and industry officials’’ and inserting ‘‘enter into a contract with an appropriate entity representing a coalition of State governors’’; 

(2) in subsection (g)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006’’ and inserting the ‘‘Veterans Opportunity to Work Act 

of 2011’’; and 

(B) by striking ‘‘September 30, 2009’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2014’’; 

(3) in subsection (h)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘utilizing unobligated funds’’ and inserting ‘‘using not 

more than $180,000 of the funds in each fiscal year’’; and 

(B) by inserting before the period at the end the following: ‘‘, to be derived 

from amounts otherwise made available to carry out sections 4103A and 

4104 of this title’’; and 

(4) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(i) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 days after the last day of a fiscal 

year during which the demonstration project under this section is carried out, the 

Assistant Secretary, in coordination with the entity with which the Assistant Secretary enters into a contract under subsection (b)(2), shall submit to the Committees 

on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the implementation of the demonstration project during that fiscal year.’’. 

SEC. 302. INCLUSION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES IN ANNUAL REPORT ON VETERAN JOB 

COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND PLACEMENT PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 

LABOR. 

Section 4107(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘clause (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1)’’; 

(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

(3) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 

(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(7) performance measures for the provision of assistance under this chapter, 

including— 

‘‘(A) the percentage of participants in programs under this chapter who 

are employed after the 180-day period following their completion of the program; 

‘‘(B) the percentage of such participants who are employed after the oneyear period following their completion of the program; 

‘‘(C) the median earnings of such participants after the 180-day period 

following their completion of the program; 

‘‘(D) the median earnings of such participants after the one-year period 

following their completion of the program; and 

‘‘(E) the percentage of participants in such program who complete a certificate, degree, diploma, licensure, or industry-recognized credential while 

they are participating in the program or within one year of completing the 

program.’’. 

SEC. 303. CLARIFICATION OF PRIORITY OF SERVICE FOR VETERANS IN DEPARTMENT OF 

LABOR JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS. 

Section 4215 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)(3), by adding at the end the following: ‘‘Such priority includes giving access to such services to a covered person before a non-covered 

person or, if resources are limited, giving access to such services to a covered 

person instead of a non-covered person.’’; and 

(2) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: 

‘‘(d) ADDITION TO ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) In the annual report required under section 4107(c) of this title for the program year beginning in 2003 and each subsequent program year, the Secretary of Labor shall evaluate whether covered persons 

are receiving priority of service and are being fully served by qualified job training 

programs. Such evaluation shall include— 


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‘‘(A) an analysis of the implementation of providing such priority at the local 

level; 

‘‘(B) whether the representation of veterans in such programs is in proportion 

to the incidence of representation of veterans in the labor market, including 

within groups that the Secretary may designate for priority under such programs, if any; and 

‘‘(C) performance measures, as determined by the Secretary, to determine 

whether veterans are receiving priority of service and are being fully served by 

qualified job training programs. 

‘‘(2) The Secretary may not use the proportion of representation of veterans described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) as the basis for determining under 

such paragraph whether veterans are receiving priority of service and are being 

fully served by qualified job training programs.’’. 

SEC. 304. EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING TRAINING AT THE NATIONAL VETERANS’ 

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES INSTITUTE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4109 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(d) The Secretary shall require that each individual who receives training provided by the Institute, or its successor, is given a final examination to evaluate the 

individual’s performance in receiving such training. Each such evaluation shall be 

designed to provide the individual with a grade, which shall be designated as either 

a passing grade or a failing grade. The results of such final examination shall be 

provided to the entity that sponsored the individual who received the training.’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (d) of section 4109 of title 38, United States 

Code, shall apply with respect to training provided by the National Veterans’ Employment and Training Services Institute that begins on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 305. REQUIREMENTS FOR FULL-TIME DISABLED VETERANS’ OUTREACH PROGRAM SPECIALISTS AND LOCAL VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES. 

(a) DISABLED VETERANS’ OUTREACH PROGRAM SPECIALISTS.—Section 4103A of title 

38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(d) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.—(1) A full-time disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist shall perform only duties related to 

meeting the employment needs of eligible veterans, as described in subsection (a), 

and shall not perform other non-veteran-related duties. 

‘‘(2) The Secretary shall conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with paragraph (1). If, on the basis of such an audit, the Secretary determines that a State 

is not in compliance with paragraph (1), the Secretary may reduce the amount of 

a grant made to the State under section 4102A(b)(5) of this title.’’. 

(b) LOCAL VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES.—Section 4104 of such title 

is amended— 

(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and 

(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection (e): 

‘‘(e) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.—(1) A full-time local 

veterans’ employment representative shall perform only duties related to the employment, training, and placement services under this chapter, and shall not perform other non-veteran-related duties. 

‘‘(2) The Secretary shall conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with paragraph (1). If, on the basis of such an audit, the Secretary determines that a State 

is not in compliance with paragraph (1), the Secretary may reduce the amount of 

a grant made to the State under section 4102A(b)(5) of this title.’’. 

SEC. 306. REPORT ON FINDINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF 

LABOR CREDENTIALING WORK GROUP. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly enter into a contract with a qualified organization or entity jointly selected by 

the Secretaries to complete the study of 10 military occupational specialties already 

begun by the joint Department of Defense and Department of Labor Credentialing 

Work Group to reduce barriers to certification and licensure for transitioning members of the Armed Forces and veterans. This study shall also include an examination of current initiatives, programs, and authority already established within the 

Department of Defense and the military services to promote credentialing of members of the Armed Forces and identify best practices that can be leveraged by all 

services to increase the transferability of military education, training, experience, 

and skills. 

(b) REPORT.—The contract described in subsection (a) shall provide that upon completion of the study described in such subsection, the organization or entity with 

which the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor entered into the contract 


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shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor a report setting 

forth the results of the study. The report shall include— 

(1) a plan for leveraging existing successful initiatives, programs, and authority to promote the credentialing of all members of the Armed Forces; and 

(2) such information as the Secretaries shall specify in the contract. 

(c) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later than March 31, 2012, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly submit to Congress a report on the 

results of the study described in subsection (a), together with such comments on the 

report as the Secretaries jointly consider appropriate. 

TITLE IV—IMPROVEMENTS TO UNIFORMED 

SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS 

SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF BENEFITS OF EMPLOYMENT COVERED UNDER USERRA. 

Section 4303(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘the 

terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, including’’ after ‘‘means’’. 

TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS 

SEC. 501. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF LAW. 

(a) ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES.—Section 3707(a) of such title is amended by 

striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2014’’. 

(b) HYBRID ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES.—Section 3707A(a) of such title is 

amended by striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2014’’. 

(c) POOL OF MORTGAGE LOANS.—Section 3720(h)(2) of title 38, United States Code, 

is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2016’’. 

(d) LOAN FEES.— (1) EXTENSION OF FEES.—Section 3729(b)(2) of such title is amended— 

(A) in subparagraph (A)— 

(i) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘October 

1, 2017’’; and 

(ii) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘October 

1, 2017’’; 

(B) in subparagraph (B)— 

(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘October 

1, 2017’’; 

(ii) by striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and redesignating clause (iv) as 

clause (ii); and 

(iii) in clause (ii), as so redesignated, by striking ‘‘October 1, 2013’’ 

and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2017’’; 

(C) in subparagraph (C)— 

(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘October 

1, 2017’’; and 

(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘October 

1, 2017’’; and 

(D) in subparagraph (D)— 

(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘October 

1, 2017’’; and 

(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘October 

1, 2017’’. 

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the later of— 

(A) October 1, 2011; or 

(B) the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(e) TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF MAXIMUM HOME LOAN GUARANTY AMOUNT.—Section 501 of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–389; 

122 Stat. 4175; 38 U.S.C. 3703 note) is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2011’’ 

and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2014’’. 

SEC. 502. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEES FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF CERTAIN TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 

adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(6) The term ‘veteran’ also includes, for purposes of home loans, the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who dies and who was in receipt of or entiVerDate Mar 15 2010 06:55 Oct 13, 2011 Jkt 019010 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\HR242P1.XXX HR242P1

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tled to receive (or but for the receipt of retired or retirement pay was entitled 

to receive) compensation at the time of death for a service-connected disability 

rated totally disabling if— 

‘‘(A) the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 

10 or more years immediately preceding death; 

‘‘(B) the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of 

not less than five years from the date of such veteran’s discharge or other 

release from active duty; or 

‘‘(C) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 

30, 1999, and the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a 

period of not less than one year immediately preceding death.’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with 

respect to a loan guaranteed after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(c) CLARIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FEES.—Fees shall be collected under 

section 3729 of title 38, United States Code, from a person described in paragraph 

(6) of subsection (b) of section 3701 of such title, as added by subsection (a), in the 

same manner as such fees are collected from a person described in paragraph (2) 

of such subsection. 

SEC. 503. EXTENSION OF HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS. 

(a) EXTENSION.—Section 2021(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 

by striking ‘‘2011’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 

the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on 

the operation and results of the homeless veterans reintegration programs under 

section 2021 of title 38, United States Code. 

SEC. 504. REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES. 

Section 111(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 

the following new subparagraph: 

‘‘(C) In the case of transportation of a person under subparagraph (B) by ambulance, the Secretary may pay the provider of the transportation the lesser of the actual charge for the transportation or the amount determined by the fee schedule established under section 1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(l)) unless 

the Secretary has entered into a contract for that transportation with the provider.’’. 

SEC. 505. ANNUAL REPORTS ON POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SURVIVORS’ AND DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 

(a) REPORTS REQUIRED.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, 

is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 

‘‘§ 3325. Reporting requirement 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For each academic year— 

‘‘(1) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the operation of the program provided for in this chapter; and 

‘‘(2) the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the operation of the 

program provided for in this chapter and the program provided for under chapter 35 of this title. 

‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE REPORTS.—The Secretary of Defense 

shall include in each report submitted under this section— 

‘‘(1) information indicating— 

‘‘(A) the extent to which the benefit levels provided under this chapter are 

adequate to achieve the purposes of inducing individuals to enter and remain in the Armed Forces and of providing an adequate level of financial 

assistance to help meet the cost of pursuing a program of education; 

‘‘(B) whether it is necessary for the purposes of maintaining adequate levels of well-qualified active-duty personnel in the Armed Forces to continue 

to offer the opportunity for educational assistance under this chapter to individuals who have not yet entered active-duty service; and 

‘‘(C) describing the efforts under section 3323(b) of this title to inform 

members of the Armed Forces of the active duty service requirements for 

entitlement to educational assistance benefits under this chapter and the 

results from such efforts; and 

‘‘(2) such recommendations for administrative and legislative changes regarding the provision of educational assistance to members of the Armed Forces and 

veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. 

‘‘(c) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORTS.—The Secretary 

shall include in each report submitted under this section— 


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‘‘(1) information concerning the level of utilization of educational assistance 

and of expenditures under this chapter and under chapter 35 of this title; 

‘‘(2) the number of credit hours, certificates, degrees, and other qualifications 

earned by beneficiaries under this chapter and under chapter 35 of this title 

during the academic year covered by the report; and 

‘‘(3) such recommendations for administrative and legislative changes regarding the provision of educational assistance to members of the Armed Forces and 

veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

‘‘(d) TERMINATION.—No report shall be required under this section after January 

1, 2021.’’. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such 

chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3324 the following new item: 

‘‘3325. Reporting requirement.’’. 

(3) DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF FIRST REPORT.—The first reports required 

under section 3325 of title 38, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), 

shall be submitted by not later than November 1, 2012, and shall cover the 

2011-2012 academic year. 

(b) REPEAL OF REPORT ON ALL VOLUNTEER-FORCE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 30 of such title is amended by striking section 

3036. 

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such 

chapter is amended by striking the item relating to section 3036. 

SEC. 506. LIMITATION ON AMOUNT AUTHORIZED TO BE APPROPRIATED FOR EMPLOYEE 

TRAVEL, PRINTING, AND FLEET VEHICLES. 

The amount authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs 

for employee travel, printing, and fleet vehicles for fiscal year 2012 shall not exceed 

$385,000,000. 

SEC. 507. EXTENSION OF REDUCED PENSION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES FURNISHED BY NURSING FACILITIES. 

Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘May 

31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘May 31, 2016’’. 

SEC. 508. STATUTORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO-ACT OF 2010. 

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 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 2433 was introduced on July 7, 2011, by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida. H.R. 2433, as amended, would amend title 38, 

United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans, and for other 

purposes. H.R. 2433, as amended, incorporates provisions from 

H.R. 120, introduced by Mrs. Foxx of North Carolina, and H.R. 

2274, introduced by Mr. Bilirakis of Florida. The bill also includes 

two free-standing provisions that would reduce discretionary 

spending by preventing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 

from being overcharged for the provision of ambulance services by 

non-VA providers to certain veterans and capping certain expenditures related to employee travel, fleet vehicles, and printing costs 

at VA. Taken together, the bill would improve the provision of Federal transition, education, vocational training, and loan guaranty 

benefits to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and survivors. 


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BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

TITLE I—RETRAINING VETERANS

Section 101—Veterans Retraining Assistance Program 

The total number of unemployed veterans has stayed consistently around 1 million throughout most of FY 2011. According to 

the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DoL) Bureau of Labor Statistics 

(BLS), there were 877,000 unemployed veterans in the United 

States during the month of August 2011. Of this number 577,000, 

or 66 percent, were between the ages of 35–64. Despite these high 

numbers, unfilled jobs have also remained high. For example, data 

from the Conference Board show that over 4 million jobs are available and listed on the Internet. The Committee is also aware of employers who have expressed their concern about a lack of qualified 

job seekers and that job applicants do not have the proper training 

for these openings. 

BLS data show that Americans with higher education/training 

levels have significantly lower unemployment rates and higher 

weekly earnings. For example, in 2010, high school graduates had 

an unemployment rate of 10.3 percent and weekly earnings of 

$626. Those with an Associate’s Degree experienced unemployment 

at a rate of 7 percent and had average weekly earnings of $767, 

a 22 percent increase above the earnings of high school graduates. 

Having a Bachelor’s Degree reduced the unemployment rate to 5.4 

percent while increasing weekly earnings to $1,038. 

Therefore, the challenge before the Committee is to increase the 

skills and qualifications of unemployed veterans. By doing this, veterans will be better positioned not only for today’s job market, but 

also for an expanding job market as the stagnant economy improves. Upgrading skills and qualifications is especially critical for 

the 66 percent of unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 

64. One proven way to do that is through providing them with 

meaningful education and training benefits. 

Unlike younger or recently discharged older veterans who have 

eligibility to obtain education and training through the Post-9/11 

GI Bill, older veterans seldom have access to similar education or 

training programs. This is because many of these veterans would 

have passed their eligibility period to use the predecessor education 

benefit to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), 

and few would have the service required to be eligible for the Post9/11 GI Bill. In times of economic downturn, this gap in benefits 

is particularly troubling since middle-aged veterans would typically 

have significantly higher financial obligations than younger veterans. 

Section 101 would provide an opportunity for unemployed veterans aged 35 to 60 to gain new skills by offering them a temporary education and training benefit. The program would allow 

these veterans to enroll in courses at community colleges and technical training schools. Education payments would be administered 

under the rules governing the existing MGIB program and would 

only be payable to veterans enrolled in education or training 

courses that lead to an associate degree, certificate, or similar qualification, in a high demand occupation as determined by the Secretary of Labor. 


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Section 101 would authorize the DoL and the VA to enroll up to 

100,000 unemployed veterans beginning June 1, 2011, through 

March 31, 2014. Veterans would be eligible to receive the monthly 

MGIB benefit that is in effect for up to 12 months. However, payments could not be made after March 31, 2014. To be eligible, veterans must be at least 35 but not more than 60 years old, have an 

honorable discharge, be unemployed as determined by the Secretary of Labor with special consideration given to those who have 

been unemployed for at least 26 consecutive weeks and have no eligibility for other VA-administered education programs. The Committee notes the bill’s provision in subsection (g) directing DoL and 

VA to reach a joint agreement on administration of the program 

and expects both Departments to move aggressively to bring the 

program online. 

Section 101 also includes a provision requiring program participants to certify attendance on a monthly basis as is done under the 

existing MGIB. This provision has been included to minimize overpayments to enrollees who do not complete their course of training. 

The Committee would expect VA to ensure that enrollees understand that failure to certify on a monthly basis may result in 

disenrollment and indebtedness to the government, just as in any 

other education or training program managed by VA. 

TITLE II—IMPROVING THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Section 201—Transition Assistance Program contracting 

The purpose of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is to 

prepare departing servicemembers for civilian life by providing 

them with a two and one half day course that focuses on finding 

a job after discharge. TAP consists of three phases: pre-separation 

counseling by Department of Defense (DoD) military or civilian personnel designed to make the servicemember aware of available career options, an employment workshop taught by labor specialists, 

and a veterans’ benefits phase taught by VA employees. 

The employment workshop focuses on career training essentials 

such as re ́sume ́ and cover letter writing, interviewing, and job 

search skills. Participants also receive a briefing from VA on the 

various types of veterans’ benefits available to them. 

Currently, Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists 

(DVOPS) and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) 

teach most TAP courses in the United States. DVOPS and LVERs 

are State employees funded by DoL’s Veterans Employment and 

Training Service (VETS). The primary job of DVOPS and LVERs 

is to work at State workforce employment centers to help veterans, 

especially disabled veterans, find meaningful employment, not to 

teach TAP classes. 

However, contract instructors teach TAP at overseas bases as 

well as at several locations inside the United States. Over the past 

several Congresses, Committee staff has conducted site visits to observe TAP classes in action. In general, staff has found the quality 

of instruction in classes taught by contract instructors to be superior to those taught by DVOPS and LVERs. This is not to denigrate 

the efforts of the DVOPS and LVERs because they are hired for 

different skill sets needed to be effective job placement and outreach experts, not classroom instructors. 


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Section 201 would require VETS to contract for all TAP instruction. This change would not only ensure quality instruction for all 

servicemembers but it would allow DVOPS and LVERs to focus on 

their primary mission, which is to provide intensive services to disabled veterans and outreach to employers. The Committee expresses its appreciation for DVOPS and LVERs who have helped 

departing servicemembers transition to civilian life. However, the 

Committee also believes that veterans will benefit more by using 

contract instructors for TAP and freeing DVOPS and LVERs to devote their time to helping veterans get good-paying jobs. 

Finally, the Committee believes that using contract instructors 

for all TAP employment workshop classes offers an excellent opportunity for VA to join with VETS to contract for the VA benefits instructional element of TAP. This would relieve VA from the need 

to station additional personnel overseas, as well as allow VA TAP 

instructors to perform their normal day-to-day duties. 

Section 202—Mandatory participation in Transition Assistance Program 

Under current law, all servicemembers are ‘‘encouraged’’ to participate in TAP classes but only the Marines make TAP mandatory 

for all of its personnel. As a result, DoD data indicate that 15 to 

20 percent of departing servicemembers do not attend TAP classes. 

Therefore, section 202 would require that all servicemembers 

below the rank of O–6 and E–8 (generally, those below the rank 

of Colonel for officers and Master or First Sergeant for enlisted persons) participate in TAP with a few exceptions for senior officers 

and enlisted personnel, as well as those unable to attend due to 

operational necessity. 

While the TAP program is considered dated and in serious need 

of improvement, the Committee believes that having a servicemember attend a less-than-perfect TAP class is better than nothing at 

all. The Committee is also aware that DoL, VETS and DoD are in 

the process of modernizing TAP so that it will feature a strong emphasis on training targeted to individual needs and circumstances. 

The Committee encourages the Departments to complete the 

project as soon as possible. The Committee also expects the revamped TAP to include, at least, a period during TAP that will assist those who intend to enroll in school to assess their readiness 

for higher education and to choose an institution appropriate for 

their academic and vocational goals. 

Section 203—Report on the Transition Assistance Program 

Congress has little statistical data on TAP participation and it 

has been over 17 years since the TAP program was last updated. 

Therefore, section 203 would establish a reporting requirement on 

the level of participation in TAP as well as a third party review on 

a regular basis to determine whether the content of TAP is meeting 

the needs of departing servicemembers. The section would require 

that to the extent feasible, the third party contracted to conduct 

the review of TAP should be a company that has been validated as 

owned and controlled by a service disabled veteran and listed in 

the database required by section 8127 of title 38, United States 

Code. 


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Section 204—Transition Assistance Program outcomes 

TAP has been in operation for nearly two decades. While many 

DVOPS and LVERs do have participants fill out evaluations on 

their impressions of the program, participants are not tracked to 

see how they used the skills presented in TAP to successfully transition to civilian life. However, that data is not compiled at a national level. Section 204 would direct DoL and DoD to develop a 

method to assess the outcomes obtained by participants after TAP 

class completion. 

The Committee has learned that despite the fact that the Marines have made TAP mandatory, thousands of Marines nevertheless do not attend this important class. Additionally, with the revised TAP coming online, DoL will need to assess the effectiveness 

of its redesign efforts. To do that, the TAP program will need to 

collect data from those who have recently participated in TAP. 

Based on briefings from VETS and DoD staff, the Committee is 

aware of the intent to include such follow-up in the redesigned 

TAP. The Committee accepts the Departments’ statements of intent in this matter and believes that inclusion of the followup data 

collection will meet the requirements of this section. However, if 

the redesigned TAP does not collect the data required by this section, the Departments must collect the data by another means. 

Section 205—Comptroller general review 

As a means to gain a more immediate analysis of the quality and 

modernization needs of the TAP program, section 205 would require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 

thorough review of TAP. 

TITLE III—IMPROVING THE TRANSITION OF VETERANS TO CIVILIAN

EMPLOYMENT

Section 301—Reauthorization and improvement of demonstration 

project on credentialing and licensure of veterans 

Public Law (P.L.) 109–461, 120 Stat. 3403, was signed into law 

on December 22, 2006. Section 604 included provisions authorizing 

VETS to conduct a pilot program, from 2006 through 2009, to analyze several military occupations to determine the barriers to employment in similar civilian occupations. The law also authorized 

DoL to use unobligated funds to contract with an appropriate entity to carry out the project. To date, DoL has failed to carry out the 

study. 

DoD has the largest training program in the world, training 

servicemembers in hundreds of occupations. While many of these 

occupations center on combat-related duties, the vast majority 

train servicemembers in support roles, many of which are closely 

related to skills required in civilian occupations. 

Despite that close relationship, servicemembers find it difficult to 

transition directly into equivalent civilian occupations. There are 

many reasons for this, but chief among those reasons is the plethora of differing State laws and regulations that directly impede 

that transition. 

The Committee believes that it is vital to engage the States in 

an effort to standardize laws and regulations, even on a limited 

basis, in an effort to smooth servicemembers’ transition to civilian 


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employment and retain the value of taxpayer investment in the 

military training program. The Committee also recognizes that an 

unregulated transition for some specialties may not be achievable, 

but expects DOL to select military specialties ranging from those 

that are easier to transition from, to those that are more difficult. 

Therefore, section 301 would reauthorize the demonstration project 

on licensing and credentialing and require DoL to enter into a contract with an association of State governors to assist in developing 

a unified set of standards for not less than five, but no more than 

ten, occupations that will easily translate from the military. 

Section 302—Inclusion of performance measures in annual report 

on veteran job counseling, training, and placement programs of 

the Department of Labor 

VETS currently funds the salaries and expenses of DVOPS and LVERs at a cost of over $165 million per year. Unfortunately, there 

is little statistical accountability built into the system to determine 

if this funding objectively leads to effective results. 

Section 302 would require VETS to create new performance 

metrics on the participants served by DVOPS and LVERs, including data on length of employment, median income, and degrees 

earned by participants following the completion of the program. 

Section 303—Clarification of priority of service for veterans in Department of Labor training programs 

Section 2 of the Jobs for Veterans Act, P.L. 107–288, 116 Stat. 

2033, required DoL to give veterans and certain spouses of veterans priority of service in all DoL training programs for which the 

veteran or spouse would otherwise qualify. 

Based on DoL statistics, it appears that DoL interprets the priority of service requirement to be met if veterans and other covered 

persons are shown to be participating in a DoL training program 

at a percentage roughly equal to the percentage of veterans in the 

general population (around 9–10 percent). The Committee believes 

such a proportion-based approach fails to meet both the letter and 

spirit of the law. Therefore, section 303 would clarify the law to ensure that veterans are indeed receiving the priority of service envisioned in P.L. 107–288. The section also requires a new section to 

the VETS annual report that will track this priority of service at 

the local level. The section also makes it clear that DoL may not 

use the proportion of representation of veterans in training programs vs. the general veteran population as a basis for determining 

priority of service. 

Section 304—Evaluation of individuals receiving training at the 

National Veterans Employment and Training Services Institute 

The Committee believes it is important to hold DVOPS and 

LVERs accountable for the funds taxpayers are providing to enable 

them to perform their duties. Chapter 41 of title 38, United States 

Code, requires that DVOPS and LVERS complete an initial training program offered by the National Veterans Employment and 

Training Services Institute (NVTI). However, there is no statutory 

requirement that DVOPS and LVERs satisfactorily complete the 

course of training or that the employing State agency be informed 

of an employee’s performance at NVTI. Therefore, section 304 


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would require that at the completion of their training at NVTI, 

each trainee would be required to take a final examination based 

on the training at NVTI. The results of this examination would 

then be sent to the organization or group that sponsored the trainee’s attendance at NVTI. 

The Committee expects DoL and NVTI to implement such reporting beginning with the first class completing training following enactment of this provision. 

Section 305—Requirements for full-time Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) 

The Committee continues to be made aware of full-time DVOPS 

and LVERs being required to perform non veteran-related functions at their worksites. Although the Committee understands the 

significant workload on the workforce development system with 

nearly 14 million Americans dealing with unemployment, the Committee is convinced there is sufficient work for DVOPS and LVERs 

to do in finding good jobs for the nearly 1 million unemployed veterans. The Committee also believes that State Directors and Assistant Directors of Veterans Employment and Training need to conduct aggressive audits of workforce development offices and make 

it clear to managers that DVOPS and LVERs shall not perform non 

veteran-related work. 

Therefore, because there is currently no statutory prohibition 

from full-time DVOPS and LVERs performing non-veteran related 

work, Section 305 would prohibit full-time DVOPS and LVERs 

from performing non-veteran related work, and require VETS to 

conduct audits to ensure compliance. 

Section 306—Report on findings of the Department of Defense and 

Department of Labor Credentialing Work Group 

In FY 2006, DoD and DoL began a study of 10 military occupations to determine the civilian barriers to employment in those occupations. Unfortunately, the study was terminated in 2008 despite 

the investment made to date. Therefore, section 306 would require 

DoD and DoL to complete the study and provide to Congress a report on the results of the study and ways that DoD and DoL will 

use existing programs to promote licensing and credentialing of 

servicemembers in the civilian world. 

TITLE IV—IMPROVEMENTS TO UNIFORMED SERVICES EMPLOYMENT

AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Section 401—Clarification of benefits of employment covered under 

USERRA 

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights 

Act (USERRA) sets the parameters under which an employer must 

employ and reemploy members of the uniformed services who are 

returning from active duty or who must be absent from work due 

to military obligation. 

DoL has suggested adding language to clarify the definition of, 

or has suggested clarifying the definition of ‘‘benefit,’’ ‘‘benefit of 

employment,’’ or ‘‘rights and benefits,’’. On page 18 of the Department’s Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Report on the Uniformed Services 


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Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), DoL noted 

that: 

In the Department’s view these terms [section 4303(2)] to include the right not to suffer workplace harassment or the creation of a hostile working environment because of an individual’s membership in the uniformed service or uniformed service obligations[.] DoL considers it a violation of USERRA for an 

employer to cause or permit workplace harassment, the creation of a hostile working environment, or to fail to take 

prompt and effective action to correct harassing conduct because of an individual’s membership in the uniformed service 

or uniformed service obligations. Although the Department believes that the statute currently supports this reading, in light 

of the risk of contrary interpretations by the courts, the Department recommends that Congress consider clarifying that 

USERRA prohibits workplace harassment or the creation of a 

hostile working environment. The Department of Justice and 

the Office of Special Counsel concur with this recommendation. 

In determining the existence of a ‘‘hostile workplace,’’ the Supreme Court in Meritor Savings Bank vs. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57, 63– 

66 (1986) considered whether the ‘‘term, conditions, or privileges of 

employment’’ were violated. Therefore, section 401 will expand the 

definition of a hostile work environment to include, ‘‘the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment,’’ to conform USERRA with the 

Supreme Court’s decision and DoL’s request in its annual report on 

USERRA. 

TITLE V—OTHER MATTERS

Section 501—Extension of certain expiring provisions of law 

In FY 2010, the VA Loan Guaranty Service guaranteed 314,011 

loans and managed a total loan volume of over $65 billion. Among 

the loans VA may guarantee are adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) 

loans and hybrid ARMs (which loans allow for a fixed interest rate 

for a defined period prior to any adjustment). However the authority for VA to guarantee these kinds of loans expires on September 

30, 2012. Section 501 reauthorizes VA’s ability to guarantee ARM 

and hybrid ARM loans through September 30, 2014. 

Further, to minimize taxpayer risk in association with mortgages 

and properties acquired by VA, VA has the authority to pool VAguaranteed mortgages and sell them on the secondary market. This 

authority expires on December 31, 2011, and section 501 would 

also reauthorize this authority through December 31, 2016. The 

Committee believes that this authority protects taxpayer’s investment into these houses and helps remove these properties from 

VA’s books. 

In addition, section 3729 of title 38, United States Code, requires 

certain uses of VA’s loan guaranty benefit to pay an upfront fee. 

The funding fee varies based on an individual’s status and the 

amount of down payment brought forward, and the date of loan 

origination. The rates of funding fees (expressed as a percentage of 

the loan) that have been in effect since 2009 are set to be reduced 

on October 1, 2011. These fees reduce the subsidy cost associated 

with VA’s guaranty of mortgage loans, and have typically been 

viewed as a reasonable cost to the benefit gained by having VA 


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guarantee a mortgage loan. Section 501 would also extend through 

October 1, 2017, the rates of funding fees that would otherwise be 

reduced on October 1, 2011. 

Finally, the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, P.L. 

110–389, 122 Stat. 4145, authorized VA to temporarily guarantee 

mortgages with higher loan values in recognition of the high cost 

of housing in several areas of the country. This authorization expires on December 31, 2011. Section 501 would extend through December 31, 2014, VA’s ability to guarantee loans with a maximum 

value of $417,000 for most areas of the country and a maximum 

of $1.1 million in high cost areas of the country. 

Section 502—Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan guarantees for surviving spouses of certain totally disabled veterans 

Currently, surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths were not 

service-connected, but who had service-connected disabilities that 

were permanent and total for at least 10 years immediately preceding their deaths, are eligible to receive a monthly dependency 

and indemnity compensation (DIC) payment from VA. However, 

surviving spouses of such veterans are not eligible for the VA home 

loan guaranty benefit administered by VA. Section 502 would enable these surviving spouses to take advantage of the VA loan 

guaranty benefit. 

Section 503—Extension of Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs 

The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) is a 

grant program managed by VETS. Grants are made generally to 

non-profit, community-based organizations to fund efforts to qualify 

and place homeless veterans in jobs. The Comptroller General has 

consistently found the HVRP to be among the best federal programs to assist the homeless. Today, VETS funds well over 100 

grantees and served 13,735 and placed 7,824 homeless veterans 

during the latest reporting period. 

The authority for the HVRP program is set to expire on September 30, 2011. The Committee believes the program’s success 

justifies its continuation as a part of the overall effort to reduce 

homelessness among veterans of all ages. Therefore, section 503 

would expand the authorization for this program to September 30, 

2012 and requires the Comptroller General to complete a report on 

the effectiveness of HVRP no later than one year after enactment. 

Section 504—Reimbursement rate for ambulance services 

Under current law, VA reimburses ambulance companies for 

services rendered to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. The Administration reported to Congress that VA’s reimbursement is well above the rate used to determine reimbursement 

under Medicare. The Administration requested that Congress end 

this practice and authorize reimbursement at the lesser of the actual rates charged on the rates authorized under Medicare. 

Section 504 would permit VA to pay the lesser of the actual 

amount charged by the ambulance provider or the applicable 

amount in the Medicare fee schedule for ambulance services. It is 

the Committee’s expectation that ambulance providers will accept 

payment at the Medicare rate and not bill veterans directly. The 


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Committee directs VA to report on the implementation of this provision. 

Section 505—Annual reports on Post–9/11 Educational Assistance 

Program and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. 

Title 38, United States Code, currently requires DoD and VA to 

report on the effectiveness of the MGIB in meeting the statutory 

objectives of the program. With the advent of the Post–9/11 GI Bill, 

and the resulting reduction in the participation in the MGIB, the 

Committee believes it is time to refocus the report on the Post–9/ 

11 GI Bill. 

With the significant investment, estimated to be as much as $60 to $80 billion over the first 10 years, and the need for Congress to 

be able to determine whether provisions of the new GI Bill are 

meeting their intended outcomes, section 505 would require an annual assessment of the outcomes of GI Bill participants. 

The report would require DoD to measure what effect the level 

of GI Bill benefits has on DoD’s ability to recruit and maintain 

qualified active-duty personnel. This section would require VA to 

report on the level of utilization of benefits under all education programs administered by VA, the number of credit hours, certificates, 

degrees, and other qualifications earned by students under the GI 

Bill, and VA’s recommendations on ways to improve the benefit for 

servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents. 

Section 506—Limitation on amount authorized to be appropriated 

for employee travel, printing, and fleet vehicles 

The President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility 

issued its report in December 2010 and recommended that every 

Federal agency: be prohibited from spending in excess of 80 percent 

of its FY 2010 travel budget; cap total government printing expenditures; and reduce government-wide (excluding DoD) vehicle fleet 

expenditures by 20 percent. In support of its recommendation, the 

President’s Commission made the following observation: 

Despite advances in technology, Federal travel costs have 

ballooned in recent years, growing 56 percent between 2001 

and 2006 alone. Government fleets, meanwhile, have grown by 

20,000 over the last 4 years. Printing costs are still higher 

than necessary despite technological advancement. 

In response to pre-hearing questions for the record submitted by 

Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, VA testified that its combined expenditures for employee travel, printing costs, and costs associated 

with its vehicle fleet, was $289 million in fiscal year 2009, $341 

million in fiscal year 2010, and was budgeted at $385 million in fiscal year 2011. Although the President’s Commission recommended 

reductions relative to FY 2010 spending, the Committee believes it 

is appropriate, in light of VA efforts to increase its outreach to veterans in rural communities and its effort to train newly hired employees, to cap spending at an amount that not only encourages 

greater use of technology (as the Commission recommended) but 

also remains sensitive to VA’s mission to serve veterans. 

Accordingly, section 506 would establish an authorization cap of 

$385 million in FY 2012 for employee travel, printing costs, and 

fleet vehicles. The authorization cap would be equal to planned FY 


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2011 spending and, according to VA, $9 million below VA’s planned 

expenditures for FY 2012. The Committee notes that the authorization cap under section 506 would be 33 percent above the fiscal 

year 2009 amount and 13 percent above the fiscal year 2010 

amount. The Committee encourages VA, consistent with the Commission’s recommendations, to strive for greater savings in these 

areas through the expanded use of technology. 

Section 507—Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans covered by Medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing facilities. 

Current law limits pensions for veterans who have no dependents, and who are residing in nursing homes paid for under a Medicaid plan, to $90 per month. The provision will expire on May 31, 

2015. Section 507 would extend this provision through May 31, 

2016. 

HEARINGS

On July 7, 2011, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity 

conducted a legislative hearing on various bills introduced during 

the 112th Congress, including: 

H.R. 1911, H.R. 240, H.R. 1263, H.R. 120, H.R. 2274, H.R. 2301, 

H.R. 2302, H.R. 2345, and H.R. 2329. The following witnesses testified: Mr. Tom Tarantino, Senior Legislative Associate of Iraq and 

Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Shane Barker, Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service of the Veterans of 

Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Jeff Steele, Assistant Director, National Legislative Commission of The American Legion; MG 

David Bockel, USA (Ret.), Executive Director of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States (testimony also submitted on 

behalf of Reserve Enlisted Association of the United States); Mr. 

Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., President, Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, FL, 

on behalf of National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Ms. Susan C. Aldridge, Ph.D., President, University of 

Maryland University College, Adelphia, MD, on behalf of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities; and Mr. Curtis 

L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity, Veterans Benefits Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans 

Affairs, who was accompanied by Mr. John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ms. Vivianne Cisneros Wersel, Au.D., 

Chair, Government Relations Committee of Gold Star Wives of 

America, Inc., and Paralyzed Veterans of America submitted a 

statement for the record. 

On July 15, 2011, the Committee conducted a legislative hearing 

on various bills introduced during the 112th Congress, including: 

H.R. 2433, H.R. 1941, and H.R. 1169. The following witnesses testified: The Honorable Sanford D. Bishop Jr., Georgia, U.S. House of 

Representatives; The Honorable Jack Quinn, President, Erie Community College, Williamsville, NY. The following individuals and 

organization submitted statements for the record: Mr. Ryan M. 

Gallucci, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Tom Tarantino, 

Senior Legislative Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of 

America; Mr. Robert Madden, Assistant Director, National EcoVerDate Mar 15 2010 06:55 Oct 13, 2011 Jkt 019010 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR242P1.XXX HR242P1

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nomic Commission of The American Legion, Mr. Bob Simoneau, 

Deputy Executive Director, National Association of State Workforce 

Agencies; Mr. Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic 

Opportunity of the Veterans Benefits Administration of the U.S. 

Department of Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mr. John 

Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and the Honorable Raymond M. Jefferson, Assistant Secretary of the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service of the U.S. Department of Labor. 

United States Department of Defense; Paralyzed Veterans of America; and Mr. John F. Morgan, President/Chief Executive Officer of 

Veterans of Modern Warfare. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATIONS

On September 8, 2011, the full Committee met in an open markup session, a quorum being present, and ordered reported favorably 

H.R. 2433, as amended, to the House of Representatives, by voice 

vote. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes on the motion 

to report the legislation and amendments thereto. Ranking Member Filner requested a record vote on H.R. 2433, as amended. The 

results of the record vote are as follows with the motion carrying 

by 17 yeas and 5 nays. Following the record vote on passage of 

H.R. 2433 as amended, the Committee approved a motion by Mr. 

Bilirakis to report favorably the bill, as amended, to the House, by 

voice vote. 

Member Yea/Nay Member Yea/Nay 

Mr. Miller (FL) .............................................. Yea Mr. Filner ...................................................... Nay 

Mr. Bilirakis .................................................. Yea Ms. Brown .................................................... Not Present 

Mr. Stearns ................................................... Yea Mr. Reyes ..................................................... Not Present 

Mr. Lamborn ................................................. Yea Mr. Michaud ................................................. Yea

Mr. Roe ......................................................... Yea Ms. L. Sanchez ............................................. Yea 

Mr. Stutzman ................................................ Yea Mr. Braley ..................................................... Nay 

Mr. Flores ..................................................... Yea Mr. McNerney ............................................... Nay 

Mr. Johnson (OH) .......................................... Yea Mr. Donnelly ................................................. Yea 

Mr. Denham .................................................. Yea Mr. Walz ....................................................... Yea 

Mr. Runyan ................................................... Yea Mr. Barrow ................................................... Nay 

Mr. Benishek ................................................ Yea Mr. Carnahan ............................................... Nay 

Ms. Buerkle .................................................. Yea 

Mr. Huelskamp ............................................. Yea 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee’s performance goals and 

objectives are reflected in the descriptive portions of this report. 


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NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate prepared by 

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS

H.R. 2433, as amended, does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R. 2433, 

as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 

Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate for H.R. 2433, 

as amended, provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant 

to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, September 19, 2011. 

Hon. JEFF MILLER, 

Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2433, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is William Ma. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF. 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 2433—Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011 

Summary: H.R. 2433 would create or modify programs that provide employment and training services to veterans and 

servicemembers separating from active duty. The bill also would 

make changes to programs that offer home loan guarantees, ambulance services, and pension payments to qualifying individuals. 

If enacted, CBO estimates that, on net, the bill would decrease 

direct spending by $8 million over the 2012–2016 period and by 

$291 million over the 2012–2021 period. Because the bill would affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting H.R. 

2433 would not affect revenues. 


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In addition, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2433 would have a discretionary cost of $8 million over the 2012–2016 period, 

assuming appropriation of the specified and estimated amounts. 

H.R. 2433 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 2433 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget functions 700 (veterans benefits and services) and 050 (national defense). 

TABLE 1.—ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 2433, THE VETERANS OPPORTUNITY TO 

WORK ACT OF 2011 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2012– 

2016 

CHANGES IN DIRECT SPENDING a

Estimated Budget Authority ......................................................... ¥20 1,066 ¥266 ¥360 ¥428 ¥8 

Estimated Outlays ........................................................................ ¥20 1,066 ¥266 ¥360 ¥428 ¥8 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Estimated Authorization Level ...................................................... 90 48 ¥41 ¥47 ¥51 1 

Estimated Outlays ........................................................................ ¥1 69 33 ¥45 ¥50 8 

Note: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

a In addition to the direct spending effects shown here, enacting H.R. 2433 would have additional effects on direct spending beyond 2016 (see Table 2). CBO estimates that net direct spending would decrease by $291 million over the 2012–2021 period. 

Basis of estimate: This estimate is based on information from the 

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Labor 

(DOL), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the National Veterans Training Institute (NVTI). For the purposes of this estimate, 

CBO assumes the bill will be enacted near the beginning of fiscal 

year 2012, that the necessary amounts will be appropriated each 

year, and that outlays will follow historical patterns for similar and 

existing programs. 

Direct spending 

Table 2 summarizes the effects of H.R. 2433 on direct spending 

for veterans’ housing loan guarantees, training and employment assistance, and pension payments. CBO estimates that enacting 

those provisions would reduce net direct spending for veterans’ programs by $291 million over the 2012–2021 period. 


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TABLE 2.—ESTIMATED CHANGES IN DIRECT SPENDING UNDER H.R. 2433 

Outlays, in millions of dollars, by fiscal year— 

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2012–2016 2012–2021 

Guaranteed Loan Provisions ......................................................................... ¥242 ¥262 ¥281 ¥292 ¥300 ¥307 3 2 2 1 ¥1,377 ¥1,676 

Veterans Retraining Assistance ................................................................... 223 1,330 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,570 1,570 Pensions for Veterans in Medicaid Nursing Homes .................................... 0 0 0 ¥65 ¥125 0 0 0 0 0 ¥190 ¥190 

Loan Guarantees for Surviving Spouses ...................................................... ¥1 ¥2 ¥2 ¥3 ¥3 ¥4 5 5 5 5 ¥11 5 

Total changes ...................................................................................... ¥20 1,066 ¥266 ¥360 ¥428 ¥311 8 7 7 6 ¥8 ¥291 

Note: * = less than $500,000. 


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1 Under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, the subsidy cost of a loan guarantee is the 

net present value of estimated payments by the government to cover defaults and delinquencies, 

interest subsidies, or other expenses, offset by any payments to the government, including origination fees, other fees, penalties, and recoveries on defaulted loans. Such subsidy costs are calculated by discounting those expected cash flows using the rate on Treasury securities of comparable maturity. The resulting estimated subsidy costs are recorded in the budget when the 

loans are disbursed. 

Guaranteed Loan Provisions. Section 501 would modify several 

provisions of current law related to VA’s authority to guarantee 

certain mortgages provided to veterans. In total, those changes 

would decrease direct spending by almost $1.7 billion over the 

2012–2021 period. 

Fee Changes. Most significantly, section 501 would postpone 

scheduled decreases in the fees that VA charges for providing loan 

guarantees. Under its mortgage guarantee program, VA promises 

lenders a payment of up to 25 percent of the outstanding loan balance (subject to some limitations on the original loan amount) in 

the event that the borrower defaults. Such guarantees enable veterans to get better loan terms, such as lower interest rates or 

smaller down payments. VA charges fees to some borrowers for its 

guarantee to offset the costs of subsequent defaults. The amount of 

the fee varies depending on the size of the down payment and 

whether the borrower has previously used the loan-guarantee benefit. 

Under current law, in 2011, veterans who get a mortgage with 

a VA guarantee and who make no down payment are required to 

pay an up-front fee equal to 2.15 percent of the principal amount. 

The fees for veterans who do make down payments range from 1.25 

percent to 1.50 percent of the principal amount, depending on the 

size of the down payment. Under current law, in 2012 and thereafter the fees for such loans are scheduled to decline by roughly 

half. Veterans who have previously used the loan-guarantee benefit 

currently pay an up-front fee equal to 3.30 percent of a subsequent 

guaranteed loan taken in 2011. The rate for that fee will decline 

to 2.80 percent in 2012, to 2.15 percent in 2013, and to 1.25 percent 

in 2014 and any subsequent year. (Veterans of the reserve components pay an additional fee of 0.25 percent for loan guarantees.) 

Section 501 would increase the current-law fee rates for the 

2012–2017 period to the rates in effect for 2011. Reserve veterans 

would continue to pay the additional 0.25 percent premium. In 

2018 and thereafter, the fees would decline to the rates specified 

for those years in current law. Eliminating the scheduled fee decline for the 2012–2017 period would increase collections by VA, 

lowering the subsidy cost of the loan guarantees provided in those 

years; direct spending would decrease by $229 million in 2012, and 

by $1,684 million over the 2012–2021 period, CBO estimates.1

Adjustable-Rate, Hybrid-Adjustable-Rate, and Jumbo Mortgages. 

Section 501 also would extend several expiring authorities to guarantee certain types of mortgages. VA is authorized to provide guarantees for adjustable-rate mortgages and hybrid-adjustable-rate 

mortgages (that is, mortgages with a rate that is fixed for an initial 

period and adjustable thereafter) until the end of fiscal year 2012. 

The bill would extend those authorities through fiscal year 2014. 

It also would increase the maximum loan level for which VA can 

provide a full guarantee. The guaranteed payment from VA is generally capped at 25 percent of the initial loan balance, up to the 


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limit on loan size established by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 

Corporation Act, currently a maximum loan amount of $417,000. 

(Loans at or below that level are known as conforming loans; loans 

in excess are called jumbo loans. Exceptions are made to the conforming limit for certain high-cost areas like Hawaii and Alaska.) 

The Veterans Benefits Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110– 

389) temporarily increased by 75 percent—to $729,750—the maximum loan amount eligible for the full guarantee. The limit reverts 

to the lower level after December 31, 2011. Section 501 would extend for three years the authority to guarantee loans up to that 

higher limit. 

Based on the number of adjustable-rate, hybrid-adjustable-rate, 

and jumbo mortgages VA has guaranteed in recent years, CBO estimates that VA would guarantee about $6 billion worth of additional loans a year during the period those expiring authorities 

would be extended. In conjunction with the fee increases discussed 

above, those extensions would reduce direct spending by $13 million in 2012, and increase it by $8 million over the 2012–2021 period, CBO estimates. 

Veterans Retraining Assistance. Section 101 would provide up to 

12 months of retraining assistance to no more than 100,000 unemployed veterans that enter education or training programs at community colleges or technical schools to prepare them for employment in an occupational field that is determined by DOL to have 

significant employment opportunities. The monthly amount of assistance payable to participating veterans would equal the maximum monthly amount of basic assistance payable under the Montgomery G.I. Bill. For 2011, that rate is $1,426 per month. To qualify for the retraining assistance, veterans must be: 

• Unemployed; 

• At least 35, but not more than 60 years of age; 

• Discharged from active-duty service under honorable conditions; and 

• Ineligible to receive any other educational assistance from 

VA. 

Of the total number of veterans that qualify for retraining assistance, only 45,000 may enter the retraining program in fiscal year 

2012 and only 55,000 may enter the program between October 1, 

2012, and March 31, 2014. Based on information from DOL, CBO 

estimates that those caps will quickly bereached and that each participating veteran would, on average, receive about $15,500 in assistance. Over the 2012–2014 period, CBO estimates that providing 

retraining assistance to those veterans would increase direct 

spending by about $1.5 billion, with most of that cost falling in fiscal year 2013. 

Of the 100,000 unemployed veterans expected to participate in 

the retraining program, we project that nearly half also would 

apply for, and be eligible to participate in, the Federal Pell Grant 

and Federal Student Loan Programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education. While the bulk of funding for Pell grants is discretionary (see discussion below under the spending subject to appropriation estimate for section 101), CBO estimates that, if enacted, section 101 would increase direct spending by $21 million 

over the 2012–2015 period for the mandatory portion of the Pell 


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Grant program. The bill also would have a negligible impact on direct spending for student loans. 

Pensions for Veterans in Medicaid Nursing Homes. Section 507 

would extend from May 31, 2015, to May 31, 2016, the expiration 

date of a provision of current law that sets a $90 per month limit 

on pensions paid to any veteran without a spouse or child, or to 

any survivor of a veteran, who is receiving Medicaid coverage in a 

Medicaid-approved nursing home. The law also allows the beneficiary to retain the pension instead of having to use it to defray 

nursing home costs. Using data provided by VA, CBO estimates 

that in 2012 about 15,000 veterans and 19,000 survivors will be affected by this provision and that the average savings to VA will 

total about $18,600 per veteran and $11,600 per survivor. Extrapolating from this estimate to account for mortality and new nursing 

home patients, CBO estimates the provision would save VA $490 

million over the 2015–2016 period. Higher Medicaid payments to 

nursing homes would offset some of those savings. We estimate 

that those costs would total about $300 million over the 2015–2016 

period, resulting in a net savings of $190 million over the period. 

Loan Guarantees for Surviving Spouses. Section 502 would make 

the surviving spouses of certain totally disabled veterans eligible 

for the mortgage guarantee benefit. Under current law, surviving 

spouses of veterans who die from a service-connected disability may 

get a loan with a VA guarantee; spouses of veterans whose disability was not related to their service are ineligible. The bill would 

authorize VA to guarantee loans to surviving spouses of veterans 

with disabilities that were not service-connected if the veteran had 

been continuously and completely disabled for 10 years preceding 

death, completely disabled for five years from the date of discharge, 

or completely disabled for one year if they had also been held as 

a prisoner of war and died after September 30, 1999. CBO estimates that VA would guarantee few such loans initially, but that 

over time, the number of additional loans it would guarantee would 

reach about 2,500 a year. Those additional loans—taking into account the fee structure specified in section 501—would yield a net 

increase in direct spending of $5 million over the 2012–2021 period, 

CBO estimates. 

Spending subject to appropriation 

H.R. 2433 would limit reimbursement to organizations that provide ambulance services to veterans and modify programs that provide employment and training services to veterans and 

servicemembers separating from active duty. If enacted, CBO estimates that, on net, the bill would have a discretionary cost of $8 

million over the 2012–2016 period, assuming appropriation of the 

specified and estimated amounts (see Table 3). 

Reimbursement for Ambulance Services. Section 504 would allow 

VA to pay the provider of ambulance services the lesser of the actual charge or the amount determined by the Medicare fee schedule 

for such services. Under current law, VA does not have a standard 

fee for ambulance services; rather the department reimburses the 

transportation costs for certain veterans based upon the ‘‘actual 

necessary expense’’ as submitted by the provider. CBO expects that 

paying Medicare rates for ambulance services would lower such 

costs by roughly 20 percent (comparable to the difference between 


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Medicare Part B physician payment rates and those of the private 

sector). On that basis, CBO estimates that using the Medicare fee 

schedule would reduce spending for ambulance services by $246 

million over the 2012–2016 period, assuming future appropriations 

are reduced accordingly. 

TABLE 3.—ESTIMATED CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 2433 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2012– 

2016 

Reimbursement for Ambulance Services: 

Estimated Authorization Level ............................................. ¥45 ¥48 ¥51 ¥53 ¥56 ¥253 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... ¥41 ¥47 ¥50 ¥53 ¥55 ¥246 

Veterans Retraining Assistance: 

Estimated Authorization Level ............................................. 76 91 5 0 0 172 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 27 80 64 1 0 172 

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program: 

Authorization Level .............................................................. 50 0 0 0 0 50 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 4 31 14 1 0 50 

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Outcomes: 

Estimated Authorization Level ............................................. 2 2 3 3 3 14 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 2 2 3 3 3 14 

Mandatory Participation in TAP: 

Estimated Authorization Level ............................................. 2 2 2 2 2 10 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 2 2 2 2 2 10 

Reports, Studies, and Audits: 

Estimated Authorization Level ............................................. 5 1 * 1 * 7 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 5 1 * 1 * 7 

Credentialing and Licensure: 

Authorization Level .............................................................. * * * 0 0 1 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... * * * * * 1 

Total Changes: 

Estimated Authorization Level .................................... 90 48 ¥41 ¥47 ¥51 1 

Estimated Outlays ...................................................... ¥1 69 33 ¥45 ¥50 8 

Notes: * = less than $500,000. 

Components may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

Veterans Retraining Assistance. In addition to the direct spending effects estimated for section 101, CB0 estimates that implementing this provision would cost $172 million over the 2012–2016 

period, assuming appropriation of the estimated amounts. 

Personnel and Information Technology. Based on information 

from VA, CBO estimates that about 60 full-time permanent employees and about 70 temporary employees would be required to review and process all incoming applications for retraining assistance. An information technology (IT) system also would need to be 

created to manage those applications once approved. Hiring those 

employees and developing and maintaining the IT system would 

cost $22 million and about $2 million, respectively, over the 2012– 

2016 period, CB0 estimates. 

Pell Grant Program. As discussed in the direct spending estimate 

for section 101, CBO projects that nearly half of the 100,000 unemployed veterans expected to participate in the retraining program 

would apply for, and be eligible to participate in, the Pell Grant 

program. If enacted, section 101 would increase discretionary costs 

for Pell grants by $148 million over the 2012–2016 period, CB0 estimates. 

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). Section 503 

would extend the HVRP through fiscal year 2012, authorizing $50 

million for DOL to provide grants to agencies and organizations 


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that provide job placement, training, and vocational counseling to 

homeless veterans. Under current law, the authorization for this 

program will expire at the end of fiscal year 2011. CB0 estimates 

that implementing this section would cost $50 million over the 

2012–2016 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized 

amount. 

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Outcomes. Section 204 

would require DOL and DoD to develop a joint method to assess 

certain outcomes of every TAP participant. Specifically, DOL and 

DoD would have to be able to determine the following for each TAP 

participant: 

• The length of the period of unemployment following separation from active-duty service, 

• The beginning salary paid for the first job obtained following separation, and 

• The number of months of school or training attended during the first 12 months following separation. 

Based on information from DOL and DoD, and assuming implementation of section 202 (see discussion below under ‘‘Mandatory 

Participation in TAP’’), CB0 estimates that DOL and DoD would 

need to contact about 170,000 veterans each year. CB0 estimates 

that it would cost $12 million to hire the additional staff and about 

$2 million to develop and maintain the IT system needed to conduct this outreach over the 2012–2016 period, assuming appropriation of the estimated amounts. 

Mandatory Participation in TAP. Under current law, separating 

servicemembers are not required to participate in the employment 

and job training workshops provided by DOL as an element of 

TAP. Section 202 would require that all servicemembers separating 

from active duty participate in those workshops unless they fall 

under one of these categories: 

• In pay grades E-8 and above or 0-6 and above, 

• Prevented from attending due to an urgent operational requirement, or 

• Accepted to an education program or already obtained 

post-service employment. 

Under current law, DOL provides employment and job training 

services to an average of 130,000 separating servicemembers 

through about 4,100 employment workshops per year. Based on information from DOL and DoD, CBO estimates that under section 

202 an additional 36,000 individuals would be required to attend 

those workshops each year and that DOL would have to hold about 

1,100 additional workshops annually to accommodate the increased 

attendance. Based on the cost of current workshops, CBO estimates 

that implementing section 202 would cost $10 million over the 

2012–2016 period, assuming appropriation of the estimated 

amounts. 

Reports, Studies, and Audits. H.R. 2433 contains several provisions that would require the Comptroller General and the Secretaries of Labor, Defense, and Veterans Affairs to complete, or contract with appropriate entities to complete, various reports, studies, 

audits, and program reviews. Sections 302 and 303 also would expand existing reporting requirements. If implemented, CB0 estimates that those efforts, collectively, would cost $7 million over the 


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2012–2016 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary 

amounts. 

Credentialing and Licensure. Section 301 would continue a demonstration project on credentialing and licensure of veterans 

through September 30, 2014, and authorize the use of up to 

$180,000 each year for that purpose. The authority to run that 

project ended September 30, 2009. If implemented, CB0 estimates 

that continuing that demonstration project would cost about $1 

million over the 2012–2016 period, assuming appropriation of the 

necessary amounts. 

Testing of National Veterans Training Institute Course Participants. NVTI was created to provide training to disabled veterans’ 

outreach program specialists, local veterans’ employment representatives, and other personnel that provide employment services 

to veterans. Section 304 would require that individuals receiving 

training at NVTI be given a final examination at the end of each 

training course and that the results of those examinations be provided to the entity that sponsored the training. Under current law, 

no such testing is required. Based on information from NVTI, CBO 

estimates that administering those exams would cost less than 

$500,000 over the 2012–2016 period, assuming the availability of 

appropriated funds. 

Pay-As-You-Go considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act 

of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures 

for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. The net 

changes in outlays that are subject to those pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in the following table. 


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CBO ESTIMATE OF PAY-AS-YOU-GO EFFECTS FOR H.R. 2433 AS ORDERED REPORTED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2011–2016 2011–2021 

NET INCREASE OR DECREASE (¥) IN THE DEFICIT 

Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Impact ............................................... 0 ¥20 1,066 ¥266 ¥360 ¥428 ¥311 8 7 7 6 ¥8 ¥291 


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Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 2433 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 

governments. 

Previous CBO estimates: On July 7, 2011, CBO transmitted a 

cost estimate for S. 951, the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, as ordered 

reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on June 29, 

2011. Sections 6 and 13 of that bill are similar to sections 202 and 

301 in H.R. 2433, respectively. The differences in the estimated 

costs reflect differences in the proposals. 

On August 30, 2011, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 914, 

the Veterans Programs Improvements Act of 2011, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on June 29, 

2011. Sections 108 and 206 of that bill are similar to sections 504 

and 503 in H.R. 2433, respectively, and their estimated costs are 

the same. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Ann Futrell, Justin Humphrey, William Ma, David Newman, and Dwayne Wright; Impact 

on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Lisa Ramirez-Branum; 

Impact on the Private Sector: Elizabeth Bass. 

Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director 

for Budget Analysis. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates regarding H.R. 2433, as amended, prepared by the Director 

of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 2433, as 

amended. 

STATEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States Constitution, 

the reported bill is authorized by Congress’ power to ‘‘provide for 

the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States.’’ 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short title 

This section provides the short title of H.R. 2433 as the ‘‘Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011.’’ 


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TITLE I

Section 101—Veterans Retraining Assistance Program 

(a) Authorizes payments to up to 100,000 veterans eligible under 

this section. 

(b) Defines the types of education and training eligible for payment under this section. 

(c) Requires participants to certify continuing participation on a 

monthly basis as done under the Montgomery GI Bill program. 

(d) Defines the benefit payment as the amount paid under the 

Montgomery GI Bill in effect at the time of participation. 

(e) Defines the eligibility requirements for those veterans desiring to participate in the program. 

(f) Requires VA to report educational achievement data for Post– 

9/11 GI Bill participants. 

(g) Directs the DoL and VA to jointly develop an agreement to 

carry out section 101. 

(h) Directs that funds to pay benefits shall come from the Readjustment Benefits Account. 

(i) Terminates all payments on March 31, 2014. 

TITLE II

Section 201—Transition Assistance Program Contracting 

(a) Amends Section 4113 of title 38, United States Code, to direct 

the DoL to contract for all Transition Assistance Employment 

Workshop instruction and describes the minimum functions to be 

performed under the contract. 

(b) Requires DoL to contract for TAP instruction not later than 

24 months after enactment. 

Section 202—Mandatory Participation in Transition Assistance Program 

Amends Section 1144(c) of title 38, United States Code, to require, with limited exceptions, all servicemembers to participate in 

the TAP. 

Section 203—Report on the Transition Assistance Program 

Amends Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, to require 

DoL to submit annually a report on TAP participation and to contract with a validated small business owned and controlled by a 

service disabled veteran(s) that is listed in the database of such 

companies that is maintained by the VA. Also authorizes funding 

to pay for the contract to come from the Jobs for Veterans State 

Grant program. 

Section 204—Transition Assistance Program Outcomes 

Amends Section 1144 of title 10, United States Code, to require 

the DoL and DoD to collect employment data on TAP participants 

during the first year following discharge. 

Section 205—Comptroller general review 

Requires the Comptroller General to provide a review of the TAP 

and to submit recommendations on the program to the Congress 

not later than one year after the date of enactment. 


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TITLE III

Section 301—Reauthorization and improvement of Demonstration 

Project on credentialing and licensure of veterans 

Amends section 4114 of title 38, United States Code, to direct the 

DoL to conduct a study in cooperation with an association of governors on 5 to 10 military occupations to determine barriers to 

transitioning those skills to civilian employment and authorizes 

$180,000 per year to fund the program through September 30, 

2014, and sets reporting requirements. 

Section 302—Inclusion of performance measures in annual report 

on veteran job counseling, training, and placement programs of 

the Department of Labor 

Amends Section 4107(c) of title 38, United States Code, to specify 

certain employment-education/training-related data for veterans 

placed in jobs by DVOPS and LVERs. 

Section 303—Clarification of priority of service for veterans in Department of Labor job training programs 

Amends Section 4215 of title 38, United States Code, to clarify 

that the term ‘‘priority of service’’ in DoL training programs does 

not mean proportional participation and requires the DoL to submit an analysis of how priority of service is implemented at the 

local level and prohibits the use of proportional representation as 

the basis of determining whether qualified veterans are receiving 

priority of service. 

Section 304—Evaluation of individuals receiving training at the 

National Veterans Employment and Training Services Institute 

Amends section 4109 of title 38, United States Code, to require 

the National Veterans Employment and Training Services Institute 

to test participants in its training program and to provide the results of that testing to the student’s employer. 

Section 305—Requirements for full-time Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists and Local Veterans Employment 

Representatives 

Amends section 4103A of title 38, United States Code, to prohibit 

full-time DVOP and LVER representatives from being required to 

perform functions that are not part of their statutory veterans’ employment-related duties. Also requires the DoL to conduct reviews 

to determine compliance with the section and to reduce the State 

grant funding as the DoL considers appropriate in cases of noncompliance. 

Section 306—Report on the findings of the Department of Defense 

and Department of Labor Credentialing Work Group 

Requires the DoL and DoD to complete a licensing and 

credentialing study of military occupations that was terminated in 

2008 and to report the findings of the study not later than March 

31, 2012. 


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TITLE IV

Section 401—Clarification of benefits of employment covered under 

USERRA 

Amends Section 4303(2) of title 38, United States Code, to clarify 

the circumstances that define what can be considered a hostile 

work environment. 

TITLE V

Section 501—Extension of certain expiring provisions of law 

Extends the authorization dates for Adjustable Rate Mortgages 

(ARMs), Hybrid ARMs, the sale of mortgage-backed securities, temporary higher maximum VA loan guaranty amount, and certain 

loan guaranty funding fees. 

Section 502—Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan guarantees for surviving spouses of certain totally disabled veterans 

Amends Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, by authorizing VA to guarantee home loans for the surviving spouses of 

certain veterans who are eligible for DIC but not for VA’s loan 

guaranty benefit. 

Section 503—Extension of Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program 

Amends section 2021(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United States Code, to 

extend the HVRP through FY 2012. 

Section 504—Reimbursement rate for ambulance services 

Amends section 111(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, to limit 

VA payments for ambulance services to the lesser of the actual 

charges or the rates authorized under Medicare. 

Section 505—Annual reports on Post–9/11 Educational Assistance 

Program and Survivor’s and Dependents’ Education Assistance 

Program 

Amends subchapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to require 

DoD and VA to report on the effectiveness of the education and 

training offered under the Post–9/11 GI Bill to servicemembers and 

dependents in meeting recruiting and retention goals. It would also 

require VA to report the levels of educational achievement earned 

by participants. Section 505 also terminates similar Montgomery 

GI Bill reporting requirements under section 3036 of title 38, 

United States Code. 

Section 506—Limitation on amount authorized to be appropriated 

for employee travel, printing, and fleet vehicles 

Reduces the amount of funding for travel, printing, and fleet vehicles to $385 million for FY 2012. 

Section 507—Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans covered by Medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing facilities 

Extends the current $90 limit on pension paid to certain veterans 

residing in nursing homes being paid for by Medicaid. 


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CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE 

* * * * * * * 

PART I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 1—GENERAL 

* * * * * * * 

§ 111. Payments or allowances for beneficiary travel 

(a) * * * 

(b)(1)* * * 

* * * * * * * 

(3)(A) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(C) In the case of transportation of a person under subparagraph 

(B) by ambulance, the Secretary may pay the provider of the transportation the lesser of the actual charge for the transportation or the 

amount determined by the fee schedule established under section 

1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(l)) unless the Secretary has entered into a contract for that transportation with the 

provider. 

* * * * * * * 

PART II—GENERAL BENEFITS 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 20—BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER III—TRAINING AND OUTREACH 

§ 2021. Homeless veterans reintegration programs 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section amounts as follows: 

(A) * * * 

* * * * * * * 


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(F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through ø2011¿ 

2012. 

* * * * * * * 

PART III—READJUSTMENT AND RELATED 

BENEFITS 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 30—ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE EDUCATIONAL 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

SUBCHAPTER I—PURPOSES; DEFINITIONS 

Sec. 

3001. Purposes. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER IV—TIME LIMITATION FOR USE OF ELIGIBILITY AND 

ENTITLEMENT; GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

ø3036. Reporting requirement.¿ 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER IV—TIME LIMITATION FOR USE OF ELIGIBILITY AND ENTITLEMENT; GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

ø§ 3036. Reporting requirement 

ø(a) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary shall submit to 

the Congress at least once every two years separate reports on the 

operation of the program provided for in this chapter. 

ø(b) The Secretary of Defense shall include in each report submitted under this section— 

ø(1) information indicating (A) the extent to which the benefit levels provided under this chapter are adequate to achieve 

the purposes of inducing individuals to enter and remain in the 

Armed Forces and of providing an adequate level of financial 

assistance to help meet the cost of pursuing a program of education, (B) whether it is necessary for the purposes of maintaining adequate levels of well-qualified active-duty personnel 

in the Armed Forces to continue to offer the opportunity for 

educational assistance under this chapter to individuals who 

have not yet entered active-duty service, and (C) describing the 

efforts under sections 3011(i) and 3012(g) of this title to inform 

members of the Armed Forces of the minimum service requirements for entitlement to educational assistance benefits under 

this chapter and the results from such efforts; and 

ø(2) such recommendations for administrative and legislative 

changes regarding the provision of educational assistance to 

members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. 

ø(c) The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under 

this section— 


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ø(1) information concerning the level of utilization of educational assistance and of expenditures under this chapter; and 

ø(2) such recommendations for administrative and legislative 

changes regarding the provision of educational assistance to 

members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

ø(d) No report shall be required under this section after January 

1, 2011.¿ 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 33—POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 

SUBCHAPTER I—DEFINITIONS 

Sec. 

3301. Definitions. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER III—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

3325. Reporting requirement. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER III—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

§ 3325. Reporting requirement 

(a) IN GENERAL.—For each academic year— 

(1) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report 

on the operation of the program provided for in this chapter; 

and 

(2) the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the operation of the program provided for in this chapter and the program provided for under chapter 35 of this title. 

(b) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE REPORTS.—The Secretary of Defense shall include in each report submitted under this 

section— 

(1) information indicating— 

(A) the extent to which the benefit levels provided under 

this chapter are adequate to achieve the purposes of inducing individuals to enter and remain in the Armed Forces 

and of providing an adequate level of financial assistance 

to help meet the cost of pursuing a program of education; 

(B) whether it is necessary for the purposes of maintaining adequate levels of well-qualified active-duty personnel 

in the Armed Forces to continue to offer the opportunity for 

educational assistance under this chapter to individuals 

who have not yet entered active-duty service; and 

(C) describing the efforts under section 3323(b) of this 

title to inform members of the Armed Forces of the active 

duty service requirements for entitlement to educational assistance benefits under this chapter and the results from 

such efforts; and 

(2) such recommendations for administrative and legislative 

changes regarding the provision of educational assistance to 


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members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. 

(c) CONTENTS OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REPORTS.— The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under this section— 

(1) information concerning the level of utilization of educational assistance and of expenditures under this chapter and 

under chapter 35 of this title; 

(2) the number of credit hours, certificates, degrees, and other 

qualifications earned by beneficiaries under this chapter and 

under chapter 35 of this title during the academic year covered 

by the report; and 

(3) such recommendations for administrative and legislative 

changes regarding the provision of educational assistance to 

members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

(d) TERMINATION.—No report shall be required under this section 

after January 1, 2021. 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 37—HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS LOANS 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL 

§ 3701. Definitions 

(a) * * * 

(b) For the purposes of housing loans under this chapter— 

(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(6) The term ‘‘veteran’’ also includes, for purposes of home 

loans, the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who dies and 

who was in receipt of or entitled to receive (or but for the receipt 

of retired or retirement pay was entitled to receive) compensation at the time of death for a service-connected disability rated 

totally disabling if— 

(A) the disability was continuously rated totally disabling 

for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding 

death; 

(B) the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not less than five years from the date 

of such veteran’s discharge or other release from active 

duty; or 

(C) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died 

after September 30, 1999, and the disability was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not less than 

one year immediately preceding death. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 3707. Adjustable rate mortgages 

(a) The Secretary shall carry out a demonstration project under 

this section during fiscal years 1993 through ø2012¿ 2014 for the 

purpose of guaranteeing loans in a manner similar to the manner 


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in which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development insures 

adjustable rate mortgages under section 251 of the National Housing Act. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 3707A. Hybrid adjustable rate mortgages 

(a) The Secretary shall carry out a demonstration project under 

this section during fiscal years 2004 through ø2012¿ 2014 for the 

purpose of guaranteeing loans in a manner similar to the manner 

in which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development insures 

adjustable rate mortgages under section 251 of the National Housing Act in accordance with the provisions of this section with respect to hybrid adjustable rate mortgages described in subsection 

(b). 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER III—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

§ 3720. Powers of Secretary 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(h)(1) * * * 

(2) The Secretary may not under this subsection guarantee the 

payment of principal and interest on certificates or other securities 

issued or approved after øDecember 31, 2011¿ December 31, 2016. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 3729. Loan fee 

(a) * * * 

(b) DETERMINATION OF FEE.—(1) * * * 

(2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as follows: 

LOAN FEE TABLE 

Type of loan Active duty 

veteran Reservist Other obligor 

(A)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any 

other initial loan described in section 3710(a) other 

than with 5-down or 10-down (closed before January 1, 2004) ................................................................. 2.00 2.75 NA 

(A)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any 

other initial loan described in section 3710(a) other 

than with 5-down or 10-down (closed on or after 

January 1, 2004, and before October 1, 2004) .......... 2.20 2.40 NA 

(A)(iii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to 

purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or 

any other initial loan described in section 3710(a) 

other than with 5-down or 10-down (closed on or 

after October 1, 2004, and before øOctober 1, 2011¿ 

October 1, 2017) .......................................................... 2.15 2.40 NA 


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LOAN FEE TABLE—Continued 

Type of loan Active duty 

veteran Reservist Other obligor 

(A)(iv) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to 

purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or 

any other initial loan described in section 3710(a) 

other than with 5-down or 10-down (closed on or 

after øOctober 1, 2011¿ October 1, 2017) .................. 1.40 1.65 NA 

(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to 

purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or 

any other subsequent loan described in section 

3710(a) (closed before øOctober 1, 2011¿ October 1, 

2017) ............................................................................ 3.30 3.30 NA 

ø(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) 

to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or 

any other subsequent loan described in section 

3710(a) (closed on or after October 1, 2011, and before October 1, 2012) .................................................. 2.80 2.80 NA

ø(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) 

to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down, or 

any other subsequent loan described in section 

3710(a) (closed on or after October 1, 2012 and before October 1, 2013) .................................................. 2.15 2.15 NA¿

(B)ø(iv)¿ (ii) Subsequent loan described in section 

3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0- 

down, or any other subsequent loan described in 

section 3710(a) (closed on or after øOctober 1, 

2013¿ October 1, 2017) ............................................... 1.25 1.25 NA 

(C)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase 

or construct a dwelling with 5-down (closed before 

øOctober 1, 2011¿ October 1, 2017) ........................... 1.50 1.75 NA 

(C)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase 

or construct a dwelling with 5-down (closed on or 

after øOctober 1, 2011¿ October 1, 2017) .................. 0.75 1.00 NA 

(D)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed 

before øOctober 1, 2011¿ October 1, 2017) ............... 1.25 1.50 NA 

(D)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed 

on or after øOctober 1, 2011¿ October 1, 2017) ........ 0.50 0.75 NA 

(E) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan ................ 0.50 0.50 NA 

(F) Direct loan under section 3711 ............................... 1.00 1.00 NA 

(G) Manufactured home loan under section 3712 

(other than an interest rate reduction refinancing 

loan) ............................................................................. 1.00 1.00 NA 

(H) Loan to Native American veteran under section 

3762 (other than an interest rate reduction refinancing loan) ............................................................... 1.25 1.25 NA 

(I) Loan assumption under section 3714 ...................... 0.50 0.50 0.50 

(J) Loan under section 3733(a) ...................................... 2.25 2.25 2.25 

* * * * * * * 


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CHAPTER 41—JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND 

PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR VETERANS 

Sec. 

4100. Findings. 

* * * * * * * 

ø4113. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program personnel.¿ 

4113. Transition Assistance Program personnel. 

* * * * * * * 

* * * * * * * 

§ 4103A. Disabled veterans’ outreach program 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(d) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.—(1) 

A full-time disabled veterans’ outreach program specialist shall perform only duties related to meeting the employment needs of eligible 

veterans, as described in subsection (a), and shall not perform other 

non-veteran-related duties. 

(2) The Secretary shall conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with paragraph (1). If, on the basis of such an audit, the Secretary determines that a State is not in compliance with paragraph 

(1), the Secretary may reduce the amount of a grant made to the 

State under section 4102A(b)(5) of this title. 

§ 4104. Local veterans’ employment representatives 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(e) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.—(1) 

A full-time local veterans’ employment representative shall perform 

only duties related to the employment, training, and placement services under this chapter, and shall not perform other non-veteran-related duties. 

(2) The Secretary shall conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with paragraph (1). If, on the basis of such an audit, the Secretary determines that a State is not in compliance with paragraph 

(1), the Secretary may reduce the amount of a grant made to the 

State under section 4102A(b)(5) of this title. 

ø(e)¿ (f) REPORTING.—Each local veterans’ employment representative shall be administratively responsible to the manager of 

the employment service delivery system and shall provide reports, 

not less frequently than quarterly, to the manager of such office 

and to the Director for Veterans’ Employment and Training for the 

State regarding compliance with Federal law and regulations with 

respect to special services and priorities for eligible veterans and 

eligible persons. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 4107. Administrative controls; annual report 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(c) Not later than February 1 of each year, the Secretary shall 

report to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and 


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the House of Representatives on the success during the preceding 

program year of the Department of Labor and its affiliated State 

employment service agencies in carrying out the provisions of this 

chapter and programs for the provision of employment and training 

services to meet the needs of eligible veterans and eligible persons. 

The report shall include— 

(1) * * * 

(2) a comparison of the rate of entered employment (as determined in a manner consistent with State performance measures applicable under section 136(b) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998) for each of the categories of veterans and 

persons described in øclause (1)¿ paragraph (1) of this subsection with such rate of entered employment (as so determined) for nonveterans of the same age groups registered for 

assistance with the public employment system in each State; 

* * * * * * * 

(5) a report on the operation during the preceding program 

year of programs for the provision of employment and training 

services designed to meet the needs of eligible veterans and eligible persons, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of 

such programs during such program year in meeting the requirements of section 4102A(b) of this title, the efficiency with 

which services were provided through such programs during 

such year, and such recommendations for further legislative 

action relating to veterans’ employment and training as the 

Secretary considers appropriate; øand¿ 

(6) a report on the operation during the preceding program 

year of the program of performance incentive awards for quality employment services under section 4112 of this titleø.¿; and 

(7) performance measures for the provision of assistance 

under this chapter, including— 

(A) the percentage of participants in programs under this 

chapter who are employed after the 180-day period following their completion of the program; 

(B) the percentage of such participants who are employed 

after the one-year period following their completion of the 

program; 

(C) the median earnings of such participants after the 

180-day period following their completion of the program; 

(D) the median earnings of such participants after the 

one-year period following their completion of the program; 

and 

(E) the percentage of participants in such program who 

complete a certificate, degree, diploma, licensure, or industry-recognized credential while they are participating in the 

program or within one year of completing the program. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 4109. National Veterans’ Employment and Training Services Institute 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 


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(d) The Secretary shall require that each individual who receives 

training provided by the Institute, or its successor, is given a final 

examination to evaluate the individual’s performance in receiving 

such training. Each such evaluation shall be designed to provide 

the individual with a grade, which shall be designated as either a 

passing grade or a failing grade. The results of such final examination shall be provided to the entity that sponsored the individual 

who received the training. 

* * * * * * * 

ø§ 4113. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program personnel 

ø(a) STATIONING OF TAP PERSONNEL AT OVERSEAS MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.—(1) The Secretary— 

ø(A) shall station employees of the Veterans’ Employment 

and Training Service, or contractors under subsection (c), at 

each veterans assistance office described in paragraph (2); and 

ø(B) may station such employees or contractors at such other 

military installations outside the United States as the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense, determines to be appropriate or desirable to carry out the purposes 

of this chapter. 

ø(2) Veterans assistance offices referred to in paragraph (1)(A) 

are those offices that are established by the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs on military installations pursuant to the second sentence of 

section 6304(a) of this title. 

ø(b) FUNCTIONS.—Employees (or contractors) stationed at military installations pursuant to subsection (a) shall provide, in person, counseling, assistance in identifying employment and training 

opportunities, help in obtaining such employment and training, and 

other related information and services to members of the Armed 

Forces who are being separated from active duty, and the spouses 

of such members, under the Transition Assistance Program and 

Disabled Transition Assistance Program established in section 

1144 of title 10. 

ø(c) AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES.—The Secretary, consistent with section 1144 of title 10, may enter into contracts with public or private entities to provide, in person, some or 

all of the counseling, assistance, information and services under 

the Transition Assistance Program required under subsection (a).¿ 

§ 4113. Transition Assistance Program personnel 

(a) AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.—In accordance with section 1144 

of title 10, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with an appropriate private entity or entities to provide the functions described in 

subsection (b) at all locations where the program described in such 

section is carried out. 

(b) FUNCTIONS.—Contractors under subsection (a) shall provide to 

members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active 

duty (and the spouses of such members) the services described in 

section 1144(a)(1) of title 10, including— 

(1) counseling; 

(2) assistance in identifying employment and training opportunities and help in obtaining such employment and training; 


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(3) other related information and services under such section; 

and 

(4) any other services that the Secretary determines are appropriate. 

§ 4114. Credentialing and licensure of veterans: demonstration project 

(a) * * * 

(b) IDENTIFICATION OF MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES AND

ASSOCIATED CREDENTIALS AND LICENSES.—(1) The Assistant Secretary shall select ønot less than 10¿ not less than 5 but not more 

than 10 military occupational specialties for purposes of the demonstration project. Each specialty so selected by the Assistant Secretary shall require a skill or set of skills that is required for civilian employment in an industry with high growth or high worker 

demand. 

(2) The Assistant Secretary shall øconsult with appropriate Federal, State, and industry officials¿ enter into a contract with an appropriate entity representing a coalition of State governors to identify requirements for credentials, certifications, and licenses that 

require a skill or set of skills required by a military occupational 

specialty selected under paragraph (1). 

* * * * * * * 

(g) PERIOD OF PROJECT.—The period during which the Assistant 

Secretary may carry out the demonstration project under this section shall be the period beginning on the date that is 60 days after 

the date of the enactment of the øVeterans Benefits, Health Care, 

and Information Technology Act of 2006¿ Veterans Opportunity to 

Work Act of 2011 and ending on øSeptember 30, 2009¿ September 

30, 2014. 

(h) FUNDING.—The Assistant Secretary may carry out the demonstration project under this section øutilizing unobligated funds¿ 

using not more than $180,000 of the funds in each fiscal year that 

are appropriated in accordance with the authorization set forth in 

section 4106 of this title, to be derived from amounts otherwise 

made available to carry out sections 4103A and 4104 of this title. 

(i) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 days after the last 

day of a fiscal year during which the demonstration project under 

this section is carried out, the Assistant Secretary, in coordination 

with the entity with which the Assistant Secretary enters into a contract under subsection (b)(2), shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 

on the implementation of the demonstration project during that fiscal year. 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 42—EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF 

VETERANS 

* * * * * * * 

§ 4215. Priority of service for veterans in Department of 

Labor job training programs 

(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 


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(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(3) The term ‘‘priority of service’’ means, with respect to any 

qualified job training program, that a covered person shall be 

given priority over nonveterans for the receipt of employment, 

training, and placement services provided under that program, 

notwithstanding any other provision of law. Such priority includes giving access to such services to a covered person before 

a non-covered person or, if resources are limited, giving access 

to such services to a covered person instead of a non-covered 

person. 

* * * * * * * 

ø(d) ADDITION TO ANNUAL REPORT.—In the annual report required under section 4107(c) of this title for the program year beginning in 2003 and each subsequent program year, the Secretary 

of Labor shall evaluate whether covered persons are receiving priority of service and are being fully served by qualified job training 

programs, and whether the representation of veterans in such programs is in proportion to the incidence of representation of veterans in the labor market, including within groups that the Secretary may designate for priority under such programs, if any.¿ 

(d) ADDITION TO ANNUAL REPORT.—(1) In the annual report required under section 4107(c) of this title for the program year beginning in 2003 and each subsequent program year, the Secretary of 

Labor shall evaluate whether covered persons are receiving priority 

of service and are being fully served by qualified job training programs. Such evaluation shall include— 

(A) an analysis of the implementation of providing such priority at the local level; 

(B) whether the representation of veterans in such programs 

is in proportion to the incidence of representation of veterans in 

the labor market, including within groups that the Secretary 

may designate for priority under such programs, if any; and 

(C) performance measures, as determined by the Secretary, to 

determine whether veterans are receiving priority of service and 

are being fully served by qualified job training programs. 

(2) The Secretary may not use the proportion of representation of 

veterans described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) as the 

basis for determining under such paragraph whether veterans are 

receiving priority of service and are being fully served by qualified 

job training programs. 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 43—EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT 

RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES 

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL 

* * * * * * * 

§ 4303. Definitions 

For the purposes of this chapter— 

(1) * * * 


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(2) The term ‘‘benefit’’, ‘‘benefit of employment’’, or ‘‘rights 

and benefits’’ means the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, including any advantage, profit, privilege, gain, status, account, or interest (including wages or salary for work 

performed) that accrues by reason of an employment contract 

or agreement or an employer policy, plan, or practice and includes rights and benefits under a pension plan, a health plan, 

an employee stock ownership plan, insurance coverage and 

awards, bonuses, severance pay, supplemental unemployment 

benefits, vacations, and the opportunity to select work hours or 

location of employment. 

* * * * * * * 

PART IV—GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE 

PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 55—MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND OTHER 

WARDS 

* * * * * * * 

§ 5503. Hospitalized veterans and estates of incompetent institutionalized veterans 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(d)(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(7) This subsection expires on øMay 31, 2015¿ May 31, 2016. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE 

* * * * * * * 

SUBTITLE A—GENERAL MILITARY LAW 

* * * * * * * 

PART II—PERSONNEL 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 58—BENEFITS AND SERVICES FOR MEMBERS 

BEING SEPARATED OR RECENTLY SEPARATED 

* * * * * * * 


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§ 1144. Employment assistance, job training assistance, and 

other transitional services: Department of Labor 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(c) PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary 

of Homeland Security øshall encourage and otherwise promote 

maximum participation by members of the armed forces eligible for 

assistance under the program carried out under this section.¿ shall 

encourage the participation of members of the armed forces in pay 

grades E-8 and above and O-6 and above who are eligible for assistance under the program and shall require the participation of all 

other members of the armed forces who are eligible for assistance 

under the program unless a documented urgent operational requirement prevents attendance or an individual service member, with 

written approval of their commander, chooses to decline participation, in writing, based on post-service employment or acceptance to 

an education program. Such documentation shall be included in the 

personnel record of the member. 

* * * * * * * 

(e) REPORTS AND AUDITS.—(1) Not later than January 30 of each 

year, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 

on the program established under this section that includes the 

number of members of the armed forces eligible for assistance under 

the program who participated in the program within 30, 90, and 

180 days of being separated from active duty, and the percentages 

of all such eligible participants who participated within each such 

time period. 

(2)(A) The Secretary of Labor shall enter into a contract with an 

appropriate entity to conduct an audit of the program established 

under this section not less frequently than once every three years 

and to submit to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Committees on Veterans’ 

Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the results of each such audit. 

(B)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary of Labor 

shall enter into the contract under subparagraph (A) with an appropriate entity that is a small business concern owned and controlled 

by veterans or a small business concern owned and controlled by 

service-disabled veterans and that is included in the database of 

veteran-owned businesses maintained under subsection (f) of section 

8127 of title 38 and verified by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph 

(4) of that subsection. 

(ii) If the Secretary of Labor is unable to enter into the contract 

under subparagraph (A) with a qualified business concern described 

in clause (i), the Secretary shall enter into such contract with another qualified appropriate entity. 

(C) The Secretary of Labor shall enter into the contract under this 

paragraph using funds made available for the State grant program 

authorized under section 4102A of title 38. 

(f) PROGRAM OUTCOMES.—The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop a method to assess the outcomes for individuals who participate in the program established 


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under this section. Such method shall be designed to determine the 

following outcomes: 

(1) The length of the period during which the individual was 

unemployed following the individual’s separation from active 

duty. 

(2) The beginning salary paid to the individual for the first 

job the individual obtained following such separation. 

(3) The number of months of school or other training the individual attended during the first 12-month period following such 

separation. 

* * * * * * * 

SECTION 501 OF THE VETERANS BENEFITS 

IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008 

SEC. 501. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN MAXIMUM LOAN GUARANTY 

AMOUNT FOR CERTAIN HOUSING LOANS GUARANTEED BY 

SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

Notwithstanding subparagraph (C) of section 3703(a)(1) of title 

38, United States Code, for purposes of any loan described in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV) of such section that is originated during the 

period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on øDecember 31, 2011¿ December 31, 2014, the term ‘‘maximum guaranty amount’’ shall mean an amount equal to 25 percent 

of the higher of— 

(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 


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(49) 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

I appreciate Chairman Miller’s efforts to make meaningful 

change in the lives of our veterans and their families with this legislation but we need to be clear about what H.R. 2433, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act, is and what it is not and how this 

measure is paid for. This bill is not a jobs bill, however it may be 

portrayed. This bill creates no new jobs. Rather, it is a retraining 

bill. It seeks to assist some veterans in the age group of 35 to 60 

who have been out of the military for years and have transitioned 

into the civilian world, while doing little to assist returning 

servicemembers who are facing double-digit unemployment rates. 

While I fully support widening the opportunities for all of our veterans by providing them with additional skills, I do not believe we 

should take from some veterans to provide assistance to other veterans. 

In order to pay for this legislation, this bill would extend higher 

loan fees on our veterans that utilize the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program and then use those monies to pay for the monthly 

stipend and retraining costs created by this bill. By not allowing 

the higher loan fee rates to expire to much lower rates and by extending the higher rates for 10 years, we are effectively taxing a 

specific group of veterans for using a benefit. The House Majority 

Leader, Representative Cantor of Virginia, said on July 11, 2011, 

that ‘‘We don’t believe you ought to be raising taxes right now in 

this recession, in this economy[.]’’ 

If this is the belief of our colleagues, then we must be consistent 

in how we apply these beliefs. If allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire was characterized as a tax increase, then not allowing these 

higher rates to expire should also be characterized as a tax increase. We need to be crystal clear as to what we are doing, and 

say in plain language that we are raising taxes on veterans. I believe it is wrong and hypocritical of this Committee to move forward with, to use the Majority’s own logic, a tax increase on a certain portion of our veterans. During these troubled economic times 

and high veteran unemployment, we should not seek to make home 

ownership more difficult for veterans. I support many of the 

changes this bill makes, but the underlying issue is that all programs are being funded on the backs of veterans. It is unconscionable that this Committee cavalierly passes a tax increase on veterans while Congress is fighting to prevent any other type of tax 

increase. If Congress is serious about these programs then Congress should seek to truly find funding for these programs instead 

of taking the funds from our veterans’ pockets. 

I want to be transparent about this ‘‘shell game’’ and how we are 

paying for it, so we are not back here later talking about how we 

had some ‘‘unintended consequences’’ and we then have to find 

some way to pay for the ‘‘pay-for.’’ 


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Simply put, in order to pay for this bill, we will charge our veterans more for the use of their benefit in one program so we can 

pay for other veterans and their benefits in another program. In 

this economy where our national housing market is very depressed, 

where we, on this Committee, have worked so very hard to protect 

our veterans from home foreclosures, we must carefully weigh our 

actions and be sure that the actions we take are not going to make 

it more difficult for a veteran to purchase or keep a home. 

All too often we read about veterans who come home with the invisible wounds of war and cannot find the dignity and security that 

work provides. We read about increasing suicide statistics, problems at home, substance abuse, and even in rising homelessness 

among our veterans. Unemployment among veterans, and all of our 

citizens, is a national tragedy. A recent article in the Los Angeles 

Times dated July 11, 2011, stated that ‘‘Unemployment among recently returned veterans, already in double digits, is poised to get 

worse as more soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan.’’ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment among Gulf 

War-era II veterans aged 18–24 was nearly 21 percent in 2010. Our 

focus should be to help recently separated veterans who are in desperate need of transition assistance and have very little experience 

in the civilian sector. Many of our recently separated veterans suffer from serious injuries such as: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 

Traumatic Brain Injuries, blindness and amputations. 

The Majority believes that it has found the quality of instruction 

in classes taught by contract instructors to be superior to those 

taught by DVOPS and LVERS. No fault has been found with the 

VA portion of the instruction and if Department of Labor instruction is subpar then the Committee has an obligation to fix it—not 

to immediately seek to contract it out. This is an area that we prefer to have the Department of Labor continue to perform because 

they do have more experience and tend to have less turnover than 

part-time contractors. 

This Committee should be working tirelessly to find ways to create real jobs for veterans. The Majority has failed to convince me 

that this measure will do this. I am willing to support needed improvements in the current retraining regime once we demonstrate 

a real need for these improvements. Once again, the Majority has 

failed to convince me that this is the case. 

Finally, I simply cannot support, in these troubled economic 

times, an approach that seeks to continue higher loan fees that are 

scheduled to decrease, an approach that can only be characterized 

as taxing some veterans to pay for the benefits of other veterans. 

I simply cannot understand why it is acceptable for them to do this 

to veterans while vigorously resisting any attempt to promote increased revenues to address our fiscal situation from those who are 

well-off. 

BOB FILNER. 

Æ 


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