WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 980 · 119th Congress

Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025

Passed HouseArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedFeb 5, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 2, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Feb 3, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The House passed it 402–2. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra did not vote, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote. It would change 4 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 980 would change 4 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Feb 3, 2026).

38 U.S.C. 3697B On-campus educational and vocational counseling

  • (a) In General.—The Secretary shall provide educational and vocational counseling… changed · Sec. 2 · see the words

38 U.S.C. 3104 Scope of services and assistance

  • (b) A rehabilitation program (including individual courses) to be pursued by a… added to · Sec. 3(a) · see the words
  • (f) new · Sec. 4(a) · see the words

38 U.S.C. 3105 Duration of rehabilitation programs

  • (c) The Secretary may extend the period of a vocational rehabilitation program for… added to · Sec. 4(b) · see the words

38 U.S.C. 5503 Hospitalized veterans and estates of incompetent institutionalized veterans

  • (d) (1) For the purposes of this subsection— changed · Sec. 5 · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (9)

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

  1. 38 U.S.C. 3697B(a)changedby H.R. 980 Sec. 2

    The bill says: Section 3697B(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the second sentence.

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3697B)

  2. 38 U.S.C. 3104(b)changedby H.R. 980 Sec. 3(a)

    (b) (1) A rehabilitation program (including individual courses) to be pursued by a veteran shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary. To the maximum extent practicable, a course of education or training may be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program under this chapter only if the course is approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title. The Secretary may waive the requirement under the preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate.

    The bill says: by inserting "(1)" before "A rehabilitation program";

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3104)

  3. 38 U.S.C. 3104(b)changedby H.R. 980 Sec. 3(a)

    (b) A rehabilitation program (including individual courses) to be pursued by a veteran shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary. To the maximum extent practicableExcept as provided under paragraph (2), to the maximum extent practicable, a course of education or training may be pursued by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program under this chapter only if the course is approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this title. The Secretary may waive the requirement under the preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines appropriate.

    The bill says: by striking "To the maximum extent practicable" and inserting "Except as provided under paragraph (2), to the maximum extent practicable"; and

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3104)

  4. 38 U.S.C. 3104(b)added (2)by H.R. 980 Sec. 3(a)

    (2) Notwithstanding section 3680A(b) of this title, the Secretary may approve a rehabilitation program for a veteran under this chapter that includes the pursuit of a course of flight training other than one given by an educational institution of higher learning for credit toward a standard college degree the veteran is seeking.

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

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3104)

  5. 38 U.S.C. 3104added (f)by H.R. 980 Sec. 4(a)

    (f) The Secretary shall establish a dedicated telephone number within the Education Call Center of the Department for calls about services provided under this chapter. Each regional office of the Department shall include, on the website of the regional office, a name, telephone number, and email address, through which veterans may receive information about services provided under this chapter.

    The bill says: Section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3104)

  6. 38 U.S.C. 3105(c)renumberedby H.R. 980 Sec. 4(b)

    The bill says: by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3105)

  7. 38 U.S.C. 3105(c)changedby H.R. 980 Sec. 4(b)

    (c) (1) The Secretary may extend the period of a vocational rehabilitation program for a veteran to the extent that the Secretary determines that an extension of such period is necessary to enable such veteran to achieve a vocational goal if the…

    The bill says: by inserting "(1)" before "The Secretary"; and

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3105)

  8. 38 U.S.C. 3105(c)added (2)by H.R. 980 Sec. 4(b)

    (2) The Secretary shall approve or deny a request for an extension under paragraph (1) not later than 30 days after the date on which the veteran submits such request.

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

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 3105)

  9. 38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(7)changedby H.R. 980 Sec. 5

    The bill says: Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "January 31, 2033" and inserting "July 31, 2033".

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 5503)

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

Modernizing the Veterans On-Campus Experience Act of 2025

This bill removes the requirement that educational and vocational counseling services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on campus at institutions of higher learning must be provided by VA counselors.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Feb 5, 2025).

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

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  1. Feb 3, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Senate
  2. Feb 2, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Feb 2, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 2 (Roll no. 49). (text: CR H1929) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Feb 2, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 2 (Roll no. 49). (text: CR H1929) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Feb 2, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1936)House floor actions
  6. Feb 2, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
  7. Feb 2, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 980.House floor actions
  8. Feb 2, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1929-1930)House floor actions
  9. Feb 2, 2026Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  10. Aug 15, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 186.House floor actions
  11. Aug 15, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-228.House floor actions
  12. Aug 15, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-228.Library of Congress
  13. May 6, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  14. Apr 9, 2025Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.House committee actions
  15. Apr 9, 2025Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  16. Mar 11, 2025Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  17. Mar 7, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.House committee actions
  18. Feb 5, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.House floor actions
  19. Feb 5, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  20. Feb 5, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Feb 2, 2026 · HousePassed 402–2
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra did not vote, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 201 yes, 1 noD 201 yes, 1 noEach member · Record