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RELEASE: Rep. Khanna, Leader McCarthy Introduce Legislation to Expand VET-TEC Pilot Program

February 6, 2020

Washington, DC. – Yesterday, Reps. Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) introduced a bipartisan bill to expand the VET-TEC Pilot Program which offers veterans access to non-traditional, technology-focused educational courses. The original VET-TEC Act was signed into law by President Trump in August of 2017.

"Every American should be able to participate in the digital revolution," said Rep. Ro Khanna. "I'm proud to reach across the aisle again to work with Minority Leader McCarthy in expanding our VET TEC Act. Our service members have a unique set of experiences and skills to offer, and we must continue to do all we can to ensure there's a strong pipeline to bring those future innovators into our 21st century workforce. This is a historic chance to create more opportunities for veterans in the technology industry."

The VET TEC act is the third piece of veteran-focused legislation Congressman Khanna has introduced with broad bipartisan support. In 2017, Congressman Khanna worked with Congressmen Arrington and O'Rourke on the VALOR Act, an effort to streamline how apprenticeship programs based in more than one state are certified, that was signed into law by President Trump. In 2019, Congressman Khanna worked with Congresswomen Aumua Amata and Luria to introduce the Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act, a multi-year study to identify whether any barriers exist specifically for veterans who served in special missions or in reserves. Congressman Khanna has also introduced the bipartisan Vet OUTREACH Act and the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act.

"In an evolving labor market, we must work together to ensure America's workforce is prepared for the changes of tomorrow, especially our veterans," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy. "This bill would continue to give our nation's heroes access to non-traditional educational courses to help them succeed in 2020 and beyond. I'm glad that Congressman Khanna and I could join forces once again to provide veterans, and soon-to-be-veterans, the expanded education options they have both earned and deserve."

This bill would expand upon the VET-TEC Pilot Program by:

  • Reducing the requirement that approved providers be operational for two years to one year, thus giving the VA the ability to attract educational providers that are innovative and responsive to industry demands;
  • Expanding eligibility for active-duty servicemembers on terminal leave to utilize the VET-TEC Pilot Program;
  • Allowing VET-TEC approved providers to offer part-time programs, lasting no longer than 6 months, to be eligible for the VET-TEC Pilot Program; and
  • Clarifying that the VET-TEC Pilot Program is exempt from VA's 48-month GI Bill rule for all education programs.

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About the Office

Congressman Khanna represents the 17th District of California, which covers communities in Silicon Valley. Visit his website at khanna.house.gov. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RepRoKhanna.