Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) announced the passage of H.R. 4446, the Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans' Employment and Transition Success (FAST VETS) Act, in the House of Representatives.

The legislation makes the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program more flexible for veterans with service-connected disabilities re-entering the workforce.

“Indiana’s 8th Congressional District is home to nearly 40,000 Hoosier veterans who answered the call of duty to serve and protect our nation. I am honored to support these veterans and those across America with the resources they deserve,” said Rep. Messmer. “I am proud to support the FAST VETS Act to give those brave veterans who were injured during their service better and more efficient tools from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to re-enter the workforce.”

BACKGROUND:

The Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program helps veterans obtain job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job-seeking skills coaching. Currently, veterans can request changes to their vocation goal solely based on their interests, which has caused the program to less effectively administer the program’s benefits with clear goals and expectations. 

The FAST VETS Act solves this problem by establishing clearer standards for redeveloping a veteran’s vocational rehabilitation plan not only when they change their vocational interest, but also when a veteran has a change in their disability or when a different plan would more effectively support their rehabilitation goals.

To read the full text of the legislation, click here.

To read more about how Rep. Messmer is supporting our nation's veterans, click here.

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