House passes Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act

The House passed H.R. 980, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act, on February 2, 2026, with broad bipartisan support. The bill modernizes and expands VA GI Bill education and workforce programs, including the Veterans Readiness and Employment program. Key provisions eliminate on-campus counseling requirements, require monthly Q&A sessions for school certifying officials with VR&E counselors, and mandate that VR&E counselors at Regional Offices provide in-person briefings for veterans. The bill was led by Rep. Abe Hamadeh.