Front view of the Capitol

Reps. Carter, Mace Introduce Bill to Support Veterans and V.A. Systems

April 27, 2023
Press Release

Reps. Carter, Mace Introduce Bill to Support Veterans and V.A. Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-Sc.) introduced the bipartisan Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) Act to support veterans and V.A. systems around the country. This bill will raise awareness of and bring improvements to the Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans Benefit Administration (WARTAC). This program within the Department of Veteran’s Affairs helps veterans re-enter the civilian workforce into meaningful roles.

“Our veterans give so much to us, we owe it to them to make sure we do all we can to help them live healthy, productive, and meaningful lives after their service,” said Rep. Carter. “I’m proud to introduce legislation to improve job opportunities and services for our veterans as they re-enter civilian life. We know that many veterans struggle with mental health, housing, and employment after their military service. By connecting returning service members with critical jobs in the V.A., the WARTAC Act is a win-win for veterans and their communities.”

Every year, over 200,000 brave service members transition out of the Armed Forces and back into civilian life. Due to the unique nature of life in the military, this transition can be daunting and difficult. As servicemembers make this transition back into the workforce it is imperative that they are equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure they’re properly supported.

Background

While the V.A. and its partners have worked hard to bring the veteran unemployment rate down, there are still over 220,000 unemployed veterans nationwide. With the Veteran’s Benefit Administration (VBA) dealing with a severe backlog in cases, it’s in dire need of qualified Veteran Service Representatives and Rating Veteran Service Representatives to process these claims.

This bipartisan legislation will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to the bicameral Committees on Veterans Affairs annually on the Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans Benefit Administration, create a structural opportunity to process feedback, and analyze the program for effectiveness and opportunities to grow and improve.

The WARTAC Act would:

  • Include recommendations for best practices and data sets on the number of eligible participants, enrolled participants, participants who successfully complete the program, information on how the Secretary provides the training, and other information deemed relevant.

  • Require that the Secretary report on hiring information and the cost savings of the program including the determination of the Secretary whether other federal agencies may also save money by establishing a program like WARTAC.

  • Help veterans receive their benefits more efficiently by increasing the VBA’s hiring capacity.

Full bill text can be found here.

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