BRAVE Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 147) to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to transitional services for separating members of the Armed Forces and educational assistance under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 147, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 147, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act, or BRAVE Act, as amended.

This bill increases access to information regarding registered apprenticeships for veterans. Registered apprenticeships are an important component of our workforce system. They provide on-the-job training with an employer that teaches workers the practical and theoretical skills they need to succeed in a field, all while earning a paycheck.

The Department of Labor validates registered apprenticeships to ensure that participants are receiving high-quality instruction and training.

At the end of their program, apprentices receive a national, industry-recognized credential in their field.

This bill would require the Department of Labor to improve access to registered apprenticeships for transitioning servicemembers and veterans by maintaining a searchable website that connects them with employer programs that are endorsed by VSOs and other veteran-specific groups.

Registered apprenticeships provide a unique pathway into in-demand, high-quality jobs, and the BRAVE Act will make it easier for veterans to learn and earn when training for their careers.

This legislation is supported by numerous VSOs, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

I thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this legislation to improve employability for veterans through apprenticeships.

I also thank Chairman Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee, who has agreed to forgo committee action on H.R. 147, as amended, so that it can be considered on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC, November 15, 2021.

Hon. Adam Smith,

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Smith: I write concerning H.R. 147 as amended,

the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education

Act or the BRAVE Act. I appreciate your willingness to work

cooperatively on this legislation.

I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the

jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services under House

Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 147

to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that

the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does

not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters

contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I

will also support the appointment of Committee on Armed

Services conferees during any House-Senate conference

convened on this legislation.

Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is

included in the Congressional Record during floor

consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your

cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to

continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the

legislative process.

Sincerely,

Mark Takano,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross), my good friend and the author of this legislation. Congressman Norcross serves on the House Armed Services Committee; Education and Labor Committee; and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 147, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

This is National Apprenticeship Week, and what better time for the passage of H.R. 147, the BRAVE Act.

I am a product of a registered apprenticeship program and the father of a veteran.

The Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act, or the BRAVE Act, would help those returning veterans find good-paying jobs and careers.

When we send our servicemembers to war, we train them and equip them, and we give them the skills they need to protect and defend the United States. We do this because we want them to succeed wherever they are needed, be it on the battlefield or rendering humanitarian assistance around the world. They deserve the same level of support when they leave the service and transition back to civilian life.

One of the best ways to help our vets transition is by providing them meaningful work opportunities or careers. Registered apprenticeships are one of the best ways, if not the best way, in the history of the United States for people to gain those skills. Registered apprenticeships allow the returning soldier to earn while they learn in-demand skills that are so desperately needed for family-sustaining careers.

Ninety-two percent of those who complete a registered apprenticeship program stay employed, and the average salary for graduates is $72,000. That is nearly $20,000 more than the average college graduate, with no student debt.

The BRAVE Act will connect veterans to these resources, helping them to transition to fulfilling civilian careers.

It is fitting that the vote for the BRAVE Act takes place during National Apprenticeship Week.

I urge all of my colleagues to support our veterans in their pursuit of a good career and a good-paying job by voting for the BRAVE Act.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 147, as amended, the BRAVE Act.

Every year, nearly 200,000 servicemen and -women transition out of Active Duty and into the civilian sector.

This bill would require the Department of Defense to provide information on apprenticeship programs to separating servicemembers who are practicing in the Transition Assistance Program.

The BRAVE Act would also require the Department of Labor to establish a website that includes information on national apprenticeships and those approved for the GI Bill benefits so it is readily available to the transitioning servicemembers.

Last month's unemployment numbers showed that while the unemployment rate for nonveterans decreased, the unemployment rate for veterans increased slightly. This is concerning, and I am hopeful that improving the way that we provide information to our veterans about available apprenticeships may provide veterans with more opportunity for great jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 147, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this

bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.