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118th Congress Armed Forces and National Security

H.R. 1669: VET–TEC Authorization Act of 2023

Passed HouseMay 24, 2023

  1. Introduced (completed)Mar 21, 2023
  2. Passed House (completed)May 24, 2023, 409–9
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Passed House, May 24, 2023

This bill addresses various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits, including to continue a high technology program and provide burial and funeral allowances for certain veterans.

(Sec. 2) The VA must implement through FY2028 a program under which it provides up to 6,000 covered individuals per year the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education that provide non-degree training or skills related to computer programming, media application, data processing, or information sciences. A covered individual is a veteran who (1) the VA determines is under the age of 62, served an aggregate of at least 36 months on active duty, and was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (2) will satisfy such requirements in fewer than 180 days after the VA's determination.

In administering the program, the VA must provide assistance to covered individuals in amounts equal to those provided to Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients who are pursuing a degree on more than a half-time basis.

Read the full summary

(Sec. 3) The bill also requires the VA to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a veteran who dies in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care).

(Sec. 4) The bill provides that a rehabilitation program under the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program may include a program that includes flight training and does not lead to a degree.

(Sec. 5) This section imposes sole liability for overpayments of educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill on the individual who was eligible for such assistance in situations where the individual failed to complete a service agreement and transferred the entitlement to a dependent.

Filipino Education Fairness Act

(Sec. 6) This section increases the amount of educational assistance available to an individual pursuing a program of education under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program at an institution located in the Philippines. Under current law, DEA educational assistance for an individual pursuing a program of education at an institution located in the Philippines is limited to $0.50 for each dollar. The bill makes an individual eligible for the full assistance amount.

(Sec. 7) The VA must provide eligibility and award documents related to specified VA educational assistance programs (e.g., the Post-9/11 GI Bill) in an electronic format. Specifically, the VA must electronically provide (1) a certificate of eligibility for an individual's entitlement to assistance, and (2) an award letter regarding the authorization to receive assistance.

An individual may elect to receive documents by mail and may revoke such an election at any time.

(Sec. 8) Finally, the bill extends certain loan fee rates through April 30, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, May 24, 2023

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Passed 409–9

Yea 409two-thirds 279Nay 9

  • Democrats202 yea, 1 nay
  • Republicans206 yea, 8 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Chip Roy (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Andy Harris (R-MD), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Josh Brecheen (R-OK) voted Nay

See how all 418 members voted

Showing 435 of 435 members

Yea 409

Republicans (206)

Democrats (202)

Independents (1)

Nay 9

Republicans (8) broke with their party

Democrats (1) broke with their party

Not voting 17

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House May 24, 2023. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • May 24, 2023HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as AmendedFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 409–9
    Roll call 235 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats2021010
    Republicans206807
    Independents1000
    Total4099017

    House roll call 235: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended. Passed.

    9 crossed party lines: 1 Democrat, 8 Republicans

    How each member voted (435)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

5

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

130 points earned
  1. 1Juan Ciscomani R-AZ SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed House4 events+56
  2. 2Andy Biggs R-AZ1 maverick vote1 event+6
  3. 2Josh Brecheen R-OK1 maverick vote1 event+6
  4. 2Andrew Clyde R-GA1 maverick vote1 event+6
  5. 2Paul Gosar R-AZ1 maverick vote1 event+6
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Juan Ciscomani

History

  1. May 24, 2023Passed the House, 409–9.
  2. Mar 21, 2023Introduced in the House by Juan Ciscomani.
Show the full action history (18 actions)
  1. May 30, 2023Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  2. May 24, 2023Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2578-2579)
  3. May 24, 2023Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 9 (Roll no. 235). (text: 05/22/2023 CR H2474-2476)
  4. May 24, 2023On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 9 (Roll no. 235). (text: 05/22/2023 CR H2474-2476)
  5. May 24, 2023Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  6. May 22, 2023Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  7. May 22, 2023Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2474-2479)
  8. May 22, 2023DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1669.
  9. May 22, 2023At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  10. May 17, 2023Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-68.
  11. May 17, 2023Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 48.
  12. Apr 28, 2023Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.
  13. Apr 28, 2023Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  14. Apr 28, 2023Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  15. Apr 18, 2023Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  16. Apr 11, 2023Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
  17. Mar 21, 2023Introduced in House
  18. Mar 21, 2023Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.