WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4446 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-72

FAST VETS Act

Became lawArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedJul 16, 2025
Passed HouseSep 15, 2025
Passed SenateDec 18, 2025
To PresidentJan 12, 2026
Became lawJan 20, 2026

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 4446 changed 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

38 U.S.C. 3107 Individualized vocational rehabilitation plan

  • (b) The Secretary shall review at least annually the plan formulated under… added to · Sec. 2(1), Sec. 2(2), Sec. 2(3) · see the words
What the words changed: every change, in place (3)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 38 U.S.C. 3107(b)changedby H.R. 4446 Sec. 2(1)

    (b) The Secretary shall review(1) The Secretary shall review at least annually the plan formulated under subsection (a) of this section for a veteran and shall afford such veteran the opportunity to participate in each such review. On the basis of such review, the Secretary shall (1) redevelop such plan with such veteran if the Secretary determines, under regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, that redevelopment of such plan is appropriate, or (2) disapprove redevelopment of such plan if the Secretary determines, under such regulations, that redevelopment of such plan is not appropriate.

    The bill says: by striking "The Secretary shall review" and inserting "(1) The Secretary shall review";

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3107)

  2. 38 U.S.C. 3107(b)changedby H.R. 4446 Sec. 2(2)

    The bill says: by striking the second sentence; and

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3107)

  3. 38 U.S.C. 3107(b)added (2)by H.R. 4446 Sec. 2(3)

    (2) On the basis of such review, the Secretary shall—(A) redevelop such plan with such veteran if the Secretary determines the achievement of the long-range rehabilitation goals for such veteran is—(i) no longer feasible due to changes in the employment handicap of the veteran; and(ii) likelier under a different plan formulated under subsection (a); or(B) disapprove redevelopment of such plan if the Secretary determines such redevelopment is not appropriate.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3107)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans' Employment and Transition Success Act or the FAST VETS Act

This act establishes conditions under which a veteran's individualized vocational rehabilitation plan (under the Veteran Readiness and Employment program) must be redeveloped. The program provides job training and employment-related services to veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must formulate and annually review an individualized vocational rehabilitation plan for veterans who have a serious employment handicap and have a reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The act provides that such plan must be redeveloped with the veteran if the VA determines the achievement of the long-range rehabilitation goals for the veteran are no longer feasible due to changes in the employment handicap of the veteran and are more likely under a different plan.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Jan 20, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2026-01-20Became Public Law No: 119-72.Library of Congress
  2. 2026-01-20Became Public Law No: 119-72.Library of Congress
  3. 2026-01-20Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2026-01-20Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2026-01-12Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2026-01-12Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-12-19Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2025-12-18Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8895)Senate
  9. 2025-12-18Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  10. 2025-12-18Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
  11. 2025-12-18Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  12. 2025-09-16Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Senate
  13. 2025-09-15Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  14. 2025-09-15On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4298)House floor actions
  15. 2025-09-15Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4298)Library of Congress
  16. 2025-09-15DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4446.House floor actions
  17. 2025-09-15Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4298)House floor actions
  18. 2025-09-15Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
  19. 2025-09-10Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 222.House floor actions
  20. 2025-09-10Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-266.House floor actions
  21. 2025-09-10Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-266.Library of Congress
  22. 2025-07-23Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
  23. 2025-07-23Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.House committee actions
  24. 2025-07-23Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  25. 2025-07-16Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.House floor actions
  26. 2025-07-16Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  27. 2025-07-16Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-72 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Cosponsors

  • Morgan McGarvey D-KY-3
  • Mark B. Messmer R-IN-8
  • Derrick Van Orden R-WI-3