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119-hr-6011119th CongressWALLET

VA Work-Study Improvement Act

Sponsored By: Representative McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

In Committee

Summary

expand and modernize the VA Work-Study program. This bill would broaden where participants can work and tighten wage rules while adding electronic timekeeping and annual public reporting.

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  • Veterans, students, and service members would be able to perform any activity at a State or local government agency or at a nonprofit that benefits veterans or service members. Payments under the changed rules would apply to work-study allowances made on or after January 1, 2028.
  • Host employers, including State and local governments and nonprofits, would have to pay the higher of three wage standards: the federal General Schedule or Federal Wage System basic pay rate, the State minimum wage where work is done, or the local minimum wage. The bill also defines "rate of basic pay" by reference to section 8331 of title 5.
  • Program administration would be modernized by allowing electronic timesheets with supervisor approval. The VA would publish annual data on participants, demographics, activity descriptions, wages, hours worked, and participating educational institutions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher minimum pay for VA work-study

If enacted, VA work-study hourly pay would use the highest of three minimums: the Federal GS/FWS floor, your state minimum wage, or your local minimum wage. This would apply to payments made on or after January 1, 2028. Your pay for a period would be that hourly rate times the hours you worked.

More placements and online timesheets for VA work-study

If enacted, more places could host VA work-study, including state or local agencies and nonprofits, when the work helps veterans or service members. The VA would also let you record hours online and have a supervisor approve them electronically. These changes would apply to payments made on or after January 1, 2028. This could make it easier to find a placement and get paid on time.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

    TN • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

  • Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

  • Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

    KY • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 11/18/2025

  • Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/25/2025

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

  • Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 4/23/2026

  • Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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