Establishing the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Ciscomani
In Committee
Summary
Creates a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs to centralize and manage programs that expand veterans' economic opportunity. The new administration would be led by an Under Secretary chosen for information technology and program-management experience and would take effect October 1, 2027.
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- Would centralize administration of VA programs that provide economic opportunity to veterans, their dependents, and survivors, aiming to coordinate services and benefits focused on economic transition.
- Would establish an Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, chosen from nominees recommended by a commission that includes education, vocational rehabilitation, employment, housing finance, veteran, and VA stakeholders; it caps combined full-time equivalents for the Veterans Benefits Administration and the new administration at 31,401 for FY 2028 and FY 2029.
- Would require a progress report to Congress within 180 days and bar transferring services until the Secretary certifies readiness; that certification window runs no earlier than April 1, 2027 and no later than September 1, 2027, and if certification is missed the Secretary must report reasons and a new estimated date.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Narrow legal definition of assistance
This bill would amend the definition of "assistance" in law so it no longer includes "assistance related to economic opportunity and transition," effective October 1, 2027. That narrower definition would change how statutes and program rules that rely on the word "assistance" apply to veterans, dependents, and survivors. Individuals who previously relied on the broader meaning might lose protections or different application of rules tied to that term.
Cap VA benefits staff levels
This bill would cap the combined number of full-time VA staff for the Veterans Benefits Administration and the new VEOA at 31,401 in each of fiscal years 2028 and 2029. That cap would limit how many employees the VA can assign to claims, benefits, and related services in those two years. Fewer staff could slow claims processing and other services veterans rely on.
Create VA economic opportunity office
This bill would create a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration inside the VA on October 1, 2027. The new office would run education, vocational, housing loan, and transition programs for veterans, dependents, and survivors. It would also create an Under Secretary to lead the office, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, with a commission that must recommend at least three candidates. The VA could not move services into the new office until the Secretary certifies between April 1, 2027 and September 1, 2027 that the transfer is ready and will not harm veterans.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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