Mike Bost in the 119th Congress. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2954) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve multi-State
Official Congressional Record section title: Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act of 2025
Full text
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2954) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve multi-State apprenticeship programs for purposes of veterans educational assistance, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2954
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Veterans' Transition to
Trucking Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO
APPROVE MULTI-STATE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
PROVIDED BY COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS
FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 3672(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended—
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
(2) in subparagraph (A), in the matter before clause (i),
by striking “The State” and inserting “Except as provided
in subparagraph (B), the State”; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraph (B):
“(B) The Secretary may act in the role of a State
approving agency for purposes of approval of a multi-State
apprenticeship program provided by a commercial truck driving
school.”.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2954, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2954, as amended, offered by my colleagues, the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas) and the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Kiggans).
driver's license apprenticeship program that operates in more than one State.
I come from a trucking family. As a former driver and a manager and operator of the family trucking business, I know how important it is to have qualified drivers. Trust me, I know.
is a shortage of 82,000 drivers and an anticipated shortage of 160,000 drivers by 2031. This bill would allow veterans to meet the demand by using their education benefits through the VA apprenticeship programs.
veterans find meaningful employment, while meeting the demand of an important industry in our Nation's economy. My committee will continue to seek ways to help create meaningful employment for veterans and streamlining veterans' programs.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2954, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2954, the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act.
often one of the most stressful. This period is marked by huge shifts in responsibilities, new family duties and new costs, like housing, food, and childcare. Veterans also must navigate finding employment which may involve translating military experience into something civilian employers will understand.
through expediting training programs. By coordinating approvals for training institutions, more veterans can find employment faster.
this legislation. Trucking is the primary means for moving goods through his State. In New Hampshire, it is not uncommon to see a load of timber or even heating oil moving on the road. His constituents depend on this industry, and veterans seek employment in trucking.
veterans who seek a role in the industry shouldn't have to fight to find a training institution.
economy, the last thing we should be doing is making it harder for veterans to find employment in logistics and shipping.
the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity where he is a strong voice for veteran employment opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), my good friend and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and the author of this legislation.
Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding, and I thank the chairman for his leadership and his endorsement of this commonsense legislation, the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act, which is a bipartisan bill I introduced last year.
aligned with their goals and their skills when their military service ends.
support their transition to civilian life, including helping them find rewarding jobs and financial security.
veterans can use GI Bill education benefits to launch a career in trucking.
bureaucratic hurdles of obtaining approval from more than 20 different State approving agencies.
a single VA approval for all of their apprenticeships, simplifying program administration for motor carriers and increasing the number of opportunities that are available to veterans.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I couldn't resist saying it, but this legislation will help our veterans keep on trucking. I know the chairman gets the gist of that.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote “yes” on H.R. 2954, the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation. Let the veterans and the truckers roll.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2954, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: “A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to approve multi-State apprenticeship programs provided by commercial truck driving schools for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs, and for other purposes.”.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.