Bipartisan Group, led by Congressional Future Caucus members, Seek to Fill VA Job Opportunities with Veterans

HR1124, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Gonzalez-Colon (PR) and co-sponsored by Congressional Future Caucus members Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-8), and Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3) seeks to fill occupational needs within the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The legislation, which is active and has been referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs committee, would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a vacancy and recruitment database to ease the recruitment of certain members of the Armed Forces. The bill seeks to establish and implement a training and certification program for intermediate care technicians in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement direct hiring and appointment procedures for vacant database positions and authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue relocation bonuses. 

The legislation aims to assist veterans in obtaining employment after their discharge from active duty. The bill passed the House of Representatives in the 116th Congress by a voice vote, indicating wide bipartisan support. HR1124 is currently in the House Veterans’ Affairs committee.