WC Wisconsin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s (WI-03) Veterans Education Transparency and Training (VETT) Act passed the House.

In his floor remarks, Congressman Van Orden expressed his gratitude for the passage of the VETT Act, stating, "This legislation addresses unnecessary barriers that veterans face while trying to access their educational benefits that they earned during their time of service, ensuring a more effective transition to civilian life."

Van Orden highlighted the importance of one provision of the VETT Act that revises the current mandate for individualized shopping sheets, stating, "My legislation resolves this burden by ensuring that State Approving Agencies can only disapprove programs when schools fail to provide necessary forms 'to the maximum extent possible.'"

The VETT Act also introduces a centralized communication platform to enhance dialogue between the Department of Veterans Affairs and School Certifying Officials, with Van Orden noting, "This platform will resolve inconsistencies in guidance and interpretation, smoothing the pathway for veterans to receive their benefits without undue delay."

Van Orden also commended a provision from his colleague from North Carolina that eliminates the two-year wait for veterans to use GI benefits for commercial driving licenses, stating, "This provision opens up great-paying jobs to our veterans and aids in filling necessary roles in a sector that critically needs skilled professionals."

Various Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) have shown support for the VETT Act, including The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Student Veterans of America, among others.

The VETT Act aims to streamline the process for veterans enrolling in higher education, providing them with a more efficient and transparent pathway to access their educational benefits earned through their service.

To read the full bill text and learn more about the VETT Act, visit the official Congressional website.