[House Report 111-323]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 111-323
======================================================================
VETERANS RETRAINING ACT OF 2009
_______
November 2, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Filner, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1168]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 1168) to amend chapter 42 of title 38, United
States Code, to provide certain veterans with employment
training assistance, 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.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 4
Committee Consideration.......................................... 4
Committee Votes.................................................. 4
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 4
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 5
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 5
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 5
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 5
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 6
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 6
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 6
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 7
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported............. 7
Amendment
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Retraining Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. EMPLOYMENT TRAINING ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 4216. Employment Training Assistance for Unemployed Veterans.
``(a) Monthly Training Assistance Allowance.--Subject to the
availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Labor
may pay to each covered veteran a monthly training assistance allowance
under this section for each month that a covered veteran is enrolled in
an employment and training program that teaches a skill in demand, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(b) Amount.--The amount of the training assistance allowance under
this section is the amount equal to the monthly amount of the basic
allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37 for a
member of the Armed Forces with dependents in pay grade E-5 residing in
the military housing area that encompasses all or the majority portion
of the ZIP code area in which the veteran resides.
``(c) Duration.--A covered veteran may receive training assistance
under this section for not more than six months during each 10-year
period beginning on the date in which the covered veteran first
receives training allowance under this section.
``(d) Moving Stipend.--Subject to the availability of appropriations
for such purpose, in addition to the training assistance allowance
payable under subsection (a), the Secretary may reimburse each covered
veteran, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, for moving expenses related
to the veteran's receipt of training for which an allowance is paid
under this section.
``(e) Covered Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term `covered
veteran' means a veteran who is--
``(1) unemployed for a period of not less than four
consecutive months at the time of applying for training
assistance under this section;
``(2) able to successfully complete the employment and
training program described in subsection (a), as determined by
the Secretary; and
``(3) except as provided under this section, ineligible for
education or training assistance under this title.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each fiscal
year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 42 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following new item:
``4216. Employment training assistance for unemployed veterans.''.
(c) Effective Date.--Section 4216 of title 38, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to months beginning
on or after the first day of fiscal year 2011.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 1168 was introduced by Representative John Boozman of
Arkansas, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity, on February 25, 2009. H.R. 1168, as amended, would
authorize the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor,
subject to the availability of appropriations, to provide a
monthly training assistance allowance and a moving stipend to
certain veterans.
Background and Need for Legislation
Federal, State, and local governments have long recognized
the need to promote the employment of veterans through
preferential hiring practices, education, and training
programs. Such programs include the G.I. Bill, the Department
of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment (VR&E) program, and placement programs such as those
operated by State employment services. These State employment
services are funded through the Department of Labor's (DOL)
Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS). State and
local governments also offer veterans preferential hiring as
well as education and training programs such as tuition
discounts at institutions of higher learning.
Unemployment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
for September 2009 show that 990,000 veterans are unemployed.
Of that number, 596,000 are between 35 and 64 years old.
Because veterans in this age range generally have no access to
training programs through title 38 programs such as the G.I.
Bill, the stipend and moving allowances of H.R. 1168 would make
it easier for these veterans to participate in retraining
programs.
Until passage of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill in June 2008 as
part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law
110-252 (122 Stat. 2323)) most veterans had 10 years from
honorable discharge to obtain their education and training
through older programs such as the Montgomery G.I. Bill. As a
result, most veterans between the ages of 35 and 65 have very
limited access to programs dedicated to improving veterans'
marketable skills because they have either used their benefits
or now exceed the statutory delimiting dates. However, there
are other Federal training programs that are available to
veterans on a priority basis.
H.R. 1168 is intended to facilitate an increased number of
veterans in the DOL's Employment and Training Administration
programs, especially those no longer eligible for education or
training under title 38, United States Code. H.R. 1168 focuses
on assisting veterans who are in their prime earning years and
who are most likely to have significant financial obligations
related to raising a family. By paying a monthly living stipend
equal to that paid to an E-5 with dependents, a rate which
varies by zip code and ranges from $785 to over $2,800 per
month, unemployed veterans will find it easier to participate
in training. Additionally, H.R. 1168 would pay up to $5,000 to
defray moving expenses following training when a veteran needs
to move to an area where the veteran's new skills are in
demand. By limiting eligibility for the living stipend and
relocation assistance, H.R. 1168 would apply scarce resources
to the population of veterans with the most need and the fewest
options. The DOL should implement these provisions as quickly
as possible to begin paying such benefits as soon as funding is
available.
The Committee is aware that the DOL collects data related
to job markets and for current and future skills. The Committee
expects the DOL to use such data as a guide to determine
whether certain skill training would be eligible for the
assistance. However, such data shall not be used as the
exclusive means to determine eligibility.
Hearings
On May 21, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on a number of bills introduced in
the 111th Congress, including H.R. 1168. The following
witnesses testified: The Honorable Mike Coffman of Colorado;
Richard Daley, Associate Legislation Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; John L. Wilson, Associate National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mark Seavey,
Assistant Director, National Legislative Commission, The
American Legion; Raymond C. Kelley, National Legislative
Director, AMVETS; Cpl. Wade J. Spann, USMC, Alumni, Wounded
Warrior Project; Keith M. Wilson, Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, accompanied by John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General
Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and John C.
McWilliam, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor. Submitting a
statement for the record included: The Honorable Bob Filner of
California.
Subcommittee Consideration
On October 8, 2009, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open markup session and ordered favorably
forwarded to the full Committee H.R. 1168, as amended, by voice
vote. During consideration of the bill the following amendment
in the nature of a substitute was considered:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute by Mr. Boozman
of Arkansas to clarify that the monthly training assistance
allowance and moving stipend were subject to the availability
of appropriations and did not create a new entitlement
resulting in mandatory spending was agreed to by voice vote.
Committee Consideration
On October 28, 2009, the full Committee met in an open
markup session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 1168,
as amended, reported favorably to the House of Representatives,
by voice vote. During consideration of the bill the following
amendment was considered:
An amendment in the nature of a substitute by Mr. Boozman
of Arkansas to add an effective date of fiscal year 2011 was
agreed to 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.
There were no record votes taken on amendments or in connection
with ordering H.R. 1168 reported to the House. A motion by Mr.
Buyer of Indiana to order H.R. 1168, as amended, reported
favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed to by
voice vote.
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.
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. 1168 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) 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.
1168 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. 1168 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, October 29, 2009.
Hon. Bob Filner,
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. 1168, the Veterans
Retraining Act of 2009.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Camille
Woodland.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 1168--Veterans Retraining Act of 2009
Summary: H.R. 1168 would authorize the appropriation of
$100 million a year for the Department of Labor, beginning in
fiscal year 2011, to provide training assistance for unemployed
veterans. Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $350
million over the 2010-2014 period. Enacting the legislation
would not affect direct spending or revenues.
H.R. 1168 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 1168 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 700
(veterans benefits and services).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
------------------------------------------------------------
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010-2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization Level................................ 0 100 100 100 100 400
Estimated Outlays.................................. 0 50 100 100 100 350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of estimate: H.R. 1168 would authorize the Department
of Labor to provide training assistance to veterans who have
been unemployed for at least four months and are ineligible for
education and training programs administered by the Department
of Veterans Affairs. Veterans participating in training
programs would receive a monthly assistance allowance of about
$1,400 for up to six months and a moving stipend of up to
$5,000, if applicable. The bill would authorize $100 million
for this program each year. At that authorization level, CBO
estimates that approximately 13,000 veterans would participate
in this program each year and that they would receive
assistance averaging around $7,500 per person. CBO estimates
that implementing H.R. 1168 would cost $350 million over the
2010-2014 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized
amounts.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1168
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state,
local, or tribal governments.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Christina Hawley
Anthony and Camille Woodland; 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. 1168 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.
1168.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the
Constitutional authority for H.R. 1168 is provided by Article
I, section 8 of the Constitution 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 would provide the short title of H.R. 1168, as
amended, as the ``Veterans Retraining Act of 2009.''
Section 2. Employment Training Assistance
This section amends title 38, United States Code, by adding
a new section 4216 titled ``Employment Training Assistance for
Unemployed Veterans.'' This new section would authorize,
subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose,
the Secretary of Labor to pay a monthly training assistance
allowance to covered veterans who are participating in
employment and training programs that increase the veteran's
skills that are in demand, as determined by the Secretary. The
number of months of assistance in any 10-year period would be
limited to six months.
This new section would authorize the Secretary of Labor,
subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose,
to reimburse a covered veteran for up to $5,000 for expenses
related to the training. A covered veteran who is eligible for
assistance is defined as a veteran who has been unemployed for
not less than four months at the time of application, capable
of completing the desired training, and not eligible for other
training or education under title 38, United States Code.
This new section would authorize an annual appropriation of
$100,000,000. This new section would apply with respect to
months beginning on or after the fist day of fiscal year 2011.
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 (new matter is
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 42--EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF VETERANS
Sec.
4211. Definitions.
* * * * * * *
4216. Employment training assistance for unemployed veterans.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 4216. Employment Training Assistance for Unemployed Veterans.
(a) Monthly Training Assistance Allowance.--Subject to the
availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary
of Labor may pay to each covered veteran a monthly training
assistance allowance under this section for each month that a
covered veteran is enrolled in an employment and training
program that teaches a skill in demand, as determined by the
Secretary.
(b) Amount.--The amount of the training assistance allowance
under this section is the amount equal to the monthly amount of
the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of
title 37 for a member of the Armed Forces with dependents in
pay grade E-5 residing in the military housing area that
encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area in
which the veteran resides.
(c) Duration.--A covered veteran may receive training
assistance under this section for not more than six months
during each 10-year period beginning on the date in which the
covered veteran first receives training allowance under this
section.
(d) Moving Stipend.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations for such purpose, in addition to the training
assistance allowance payable under subsection (a), the
Secretary may reimburse each covered veteran, in an amount not
to exceed $5,000, for moving expenses related to the veteran's
receipt of training for which an allowance is paid under this
section.
(e) Covered Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term
``covered veteran'' means a veteran who is--
(1) unemployed for a period of not less than four
consecutive months at the time of applying for training
assistance under this section;
(2) able to successfully complete the employment and
training program described in subsection (a), as
determined by the Secretary; and
(3) except as provided under this section, ineligible
for education or training assistance under this title.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each
fiscal year.
* * * * * * *