Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 1458 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
11 members · Left 3 · Center 2 · Right 6 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Ciscomani, Juan (R-AZ) (Introduced 02/21/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Lean right · DW-NOMINATE +0.30 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 11 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee |
| Latest Action | 02/03/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| Roll Call Votes | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Reported to House (09/26/2025)
Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 or the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025
This bill addresses the administration of and eligibility for certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits and programs.
The bill modifies the process for repaying service members and veterans who paid to keep benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, but later chose to utilize Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Specifically, the bill requires that the VA issue a repayment within 60 days of an individual exhausting their eligibility for Post-9/11 benefits, regardless of their housing stipend eligibility.
The bill also modifies which independent study programs are covered under veterans’ educational assistance benefits. The bill requires independent study programs that lead to a certificate that reflects graduation from a course of study to include regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors. Additionally, the bill allows such independent study programs to be offered by any institutions of higher education, including for-profit institutions, that are approved to participate in the Department of Education’s financial assistance programs.
Upon receiving orders for active service, inactive duty training, or state active duty, the bill authorizes a member of the Armed Forces or reserves to enter into an agreement with their educational institution to complete a course of education to the satisfaction of the institution if they have completed at least half of the course.
The bill extends through March 31, 2033, a pension cap for veterans who are being furnished VA domiciliary care.
119 HR 1458 EH: Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 1458
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 or the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025.
2.Repayment of members of the Armed Forces for contributions towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance: timing; mechanism for individuals not eligible for a monthly housing stipend (a)In generalSubsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (3), by striking together and all that follows through before and inserting not later than 60 days after; and (2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4)Additional assistance for an individual not eligible for a monthly housing stipendIn the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall be paid— (A)in a lump sum calculated by multiplying— (i)the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and (ii)the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and (B)to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.. (b)Technical corrections and conforming amendmentSuch subsection is further amended— (1)by striking paragraphs (2) through (7) and inserting paragraphs (2) through (6); and (2)in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend after Additional assistance. (c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2026.
3.Treatment of certain independent study programs under educational assistance programs of Department of Veterans Affairs (a)In generalSection 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such title is amended— (1)by inserting that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors after course of study; (2)in item (aa), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (3)in item (bb), by striking ; and and inserting ; or; and (4)by adding at the end by following new item: (cc)an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and. (b)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2026.
4.Absence from certain education due to certain service (a)OptionsSection 3691A of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following: (1)A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service— (A)withdraw from covered education; (B)take a leave of absence from covered education; or (C)subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned.. (b)Conforming amendmentSuch subsection is further amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking or takes a leave of absence and inserting , takes a leave of absence, or enters into an agreement. (c)AgreementSuch section is further amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2)by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new subsection (d): (d)Agreement with institution concernedA covered member may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member has completed at least half of a course of covered education.. (d)Section headingSuch section is further amended by striking the heading and inserting Absence from certain education due to certain service. (e)Table of sectionsThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the following new item: 3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service..
5.Department of Veterans Affairs compliance surveysSection 3693 of such title is amended— (1)in subsection (c)— (A)by striking not more than 10 business days of notice; (B)by striking this section. and inserting this section—; and (C)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (1)in the case of an educational institution or training establishment with a time stamp database collection feature, not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of notice; and (2)in the case of any other educational institution or training establishment, not more than 10 business days of notice.; and (2)by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsection (d): (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The terms educational institution and training establishment have the meanings given such terms in section 3452 of this title. (2)The term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution..
6.Notification of school certifying officials of handbook updates (a)In generalNot later than 14 business days after updating the school certifying official handbook of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying officials of such update. (b)School certifying official definedThe term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.
7.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking January 31, 2033 and inserting May 31, 2034. Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1458 IH: Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-02-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1458IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 21, 2025Mr. Ciscomani (for himself and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 or the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025.
2.Treatment of certain independent study programs under educational assistance programs of Department of Veterans Affairs (a)In generalSection 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of title 38, United States Code (as amended by the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118–210; 138 Stat. 2773)), is further amended— (1)by inserting that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors after course of study; (2)in item (aa), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (3)in item (bb), by striking ; and and inserting ; or; and (4)by adding at the end by following new item: (cc)an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and. (b)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2025.
119 HR 1458 : Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-02-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 1458IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 3, 2026Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsAN ACTTo amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 or the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025.2.Repayment of members of the Armed Forces for contributions towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance: timing; mechanism for individuals not eligible for a monthly housing stipend(a)In generalSubsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—(1)in paragraph (3), by striking together and all that follows through before and inserting not later than 60 days after; and(2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(4)Additional assistance for an individual not eligible for a monthly housing stipendIn the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall be paid—(A)in a lump sum calculated by multiplying—(i)the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and(ii)the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and(B)to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter..(b)Technical corrections and conforming amendmentSuch subsection is further amended—(1)by striking paragraphs (2) through (7) and inserting paragraphs (2) through (6); and(2)in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend after Additional assistance.(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2026.3.Treatment of certain independent study programs under educational assistance programs of Department of Veterans Affairs(a)In generalSection 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such title is amended—(1)by inserting that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors after course of study;(2)in item (aa), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;(3)in item (bb), by striking ; and and inserting ; or; and(4)by adding at the end by following new item:(cc)an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and.(b)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2026.4.Absence from certain education due to certain service(a)OptionsSection 3691A of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following:(1)A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service—(A)withdraw from covered education;(B)take a leave of absence from covered education; or(C)subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned..(b)Conforming amendmentSuch subsection is further amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking or takes a leave of absence and inserting , takes a leave of absence, or enters into an agreement.(c)AgreementSuch section is further amended—(1)by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and(2)by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new subsection (d):(d)Agreement with institution concernedA covered member may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member has completed at least half of a course of covered education..(d)Section headingSuch section is further amended by striking the heading and inserting Absence from certain education due to certain service.(e)Table of sectionsThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the following new item:3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service..5.Department of Veterans Affairs compliance surveysSection 3693 of such title is amended—(1)in subsection (c)—(A)by striking not more than 10 business days of notice;(B)by striking this section. and inserting this section—; and(C)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:(1)in the case of an educational institution or training establishment with a time stamp database collection feature, not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of notice; and(2)in the case of any other educational institution or training establishment, not more than 10 business days of notice.; and(2)by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsection (d):(d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The terms educational institution and training establishment have the meanings given such terms in section 3452 of this title.(2)The term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution..6.Notification of school certifying officials of handbook updates(a)In generalNot later than 14 business days after updating the school certifying official handbook of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying officials of such update.(b)School certifying official definedThe term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.7.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking January 31, 2033 and inserting May 31, 2034. Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1458 RH: Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-26 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB Union Calendar No. 262 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 1458 [Report No. 119–308]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 21, 2025 Mr. Ciscomani (for himself and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs September 26, 2025 Additional sponsors: Mr. Hudson, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Van Orden, Mr. Soto, Mr. McDowell, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Vindman, and Mr. Vasquez September 26, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 21, 2025
A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 or the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025.
2.Repayment of members of the Armed Forces for contributions towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance: timing; mechanism for individuals not eligible for a monthly housing stipend (a)In generalSubsection (f) of section 3327 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (3), by striking together and all that follows through before and inserting not later than 60 days after; and (2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4)Additional assistance for an individual not eligible for a monthly housing stipendIn the case of an individual making an election under subsection (a) who is described by subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that subsection, and who is not eligible for a monthly stipend payable under section 3313(c) of this title, the educational assistance payable to the individual under this chapter shall be paid— (A)in a lump sum calculated by multiplying— (i)the total amount of contributions described in paragraph (1)(A) with regards to such individual; and (ii)the sum of the number of months described in subclauses (I) and (II) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) with regards to such individual; and (B)to the individual not later than 60 days after the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this chapter.. (b)Technical corrections and conforming amendmentSuch subsection is further amended— (1)by striking paragraphs (2) through (7) and inserting paragraphs (2) through (6); and (2)in paragraph (1), in the heading, by inserting for an individual eligible for a monthly housing stipend after Additional assistance. (c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on August 1, 2025.
3.Treatment of certain independent study programs under educational assistance programs of Department of Veterans Affairs (a)In generalSection 3680A(a)(4)(A)(ii)(III) of such title is amended— (1)by inserting that requires regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors after course of study; (2)in item (aa), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (3)in item (bb), by striking ; and and inserting ; or; and (4)by adding at the end by following new item: (cc)an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), that is approved to participate or participating in the student financial assistance programs authorized by title IV of that Act; and. (b)ApplicabilityThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, that begins on or after August 1, 2025.
4.Absence from certain education due to certain service (a)OptionsSection 3691A of such title is amended by striking paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and inserting the following: (1)A covered member may, after receiving orders to enter a period of covered service— (A)withdraw from covered education; (B)take a leave of absence from covered education; or (C)subject to subsection (d), enter into an agreement with the institution concerned to complete a course of covered education to the satisfaction of such institution concerned.. (b)Conforming amendmentSuch subsection is further amended, in paragraph (2)(A), by striking or takes a leave of absence and inserting , takes a leave of absence, or enters into an agreement. (c)AgreementSuch section is further amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2)by inserting, after subsection (c), the following new subsection (d): (d)Agreement with institution concernedA covered member may enter into an agreement under subsection (a) only if the covered member has completed at least half of a course of covered education.. (d)Section headingSuch section is further amended by striking the heading and inserting Absence from certain education due to certain service. (e)Table of sectionsThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 36 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to section 3691A and inserting the following new item: 3691A. Absence from certain education due to certain service..
5.Department of Veterans Affairs compliance surveysSection 3693 of such title is amended— (1)in subsection (c)— (A)by striking not more than 10 business days of notice; (B)by striking this section. and inserting this section—; and (C)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (1)in the case of an educational institution or training establishment with a time stamp database collection feature, not fewer than 10, and not more than 15, business days of notice; and (2)in the case of any other educational institution or training establishment, not more than 10 business days of notice.; and (2)by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsection (d): (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The terms educational institution and training establishment have the meanings given such terms in section 3452 of this title. (2)The term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution..
6.Notification of school certifying officials of handbook updates (a)In generalNot later than 14 business days after updating the school certifying official handbook of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide notice to all school certifying officials of such update. (b)School certifying official definedThe term school certifying official means an employee of an educational institution with primary responsibility for certifying veteran enrollment at the educational institution.
7.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting March 31, 2033. September 26, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 02/21/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/21/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/21/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| 03/10/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. |
| 03/11/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Hearings Held |
| 04/09/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 04/09/2025 | House committee actions | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote. |
| 05/06/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 09/26/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-308. |
| 09/26/2025 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-308. |
| 09/26/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 262. |
| 02/02/2026 | House floor actions | Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. |
| 02/02/2026 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1933-1935) |
| 02/02/2026 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1458. |
| 02/02/2026 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1933-1934) |
| 02/02/2026 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1933-1934) |
| 02/02/2026 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 02/03/2026 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Display Title | VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | VETS Opportunity Act of 2025 |
| Official Title as Introduced | To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the criteria for approval of certain independent study programs for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 02/03/2026 Referred To |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 09/26/2025 Reported By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 05/06/2025 Markup By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 02/21/2025 Referred To |
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.