House Passes Veterans Transition Assistance Bill Sponsored By Rep. Mark Takano

Press Release

Today, the House passed the Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act, HR 5229, which requires the VA to examine if the existing Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is meeting the unique needs of specific veterans' groups. The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Rep. Amata Radewagen (R-AS) and will help ensure women veterans, Native American veterans, veterans from the U.S. territories, and veterans with disabilities receive the support they need to transition into civilian life.

"The TAP program has been successful in helping many veterans make the difficult transition from military to civilian life," said Rep. Takano. "But too many former servicemembers are still being left behind. This legislation would give us the information we need to meet the needs of a greater and more diverse group of veterans as they return home," said Rep. Takano.

The most recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that veteran unemployment is at a seven-year low. Yet, certain cohorts of veterans who face challenges and aspire to jobs that differ from the broader population have struggled more often to make the transition.

In addition to conducting research, the Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act asks the VA, in collaboration with the Departments of Defense and Labor, to recommend changes to the current TAP program that would appropriately address barriers and better serve vulnerable veterans in their pursuit of meaningful training and employment following their military service.

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