Washington, D.C. — In a significant step to help military veterans transition into civilian jobs, Congress has approved legislation aimed at expanding commercial driver’s license (CDL) training programs for veterans. The bill, known as the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023, passed in the House by voice vote on Wednesday and is now on its way to President Biden’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.
Introduced by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), the legislation seeks to eliminate a major obstacle preventing veterans from quickly enrolling in CDL programs. Currently, veterans must wait for two years before being able to use their GI Bill benefits for certain CDL courses offered by secondary branches of educational institutions. This waiting period, mandated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), was originally intended to ensure the quality of the training provided by new programs.
Sen. Fischer, who has been a strong advocate for veterans, emphasized that the bill would help veterans overcome these barriers and access meaningful job opportunities.
“Our veterans deserve every opportunity to participate in the American dream they’ve fought to protect,” Fischer stated. “But when their service is over, many veterans face unfair roadblocks when they look for jobs. My legislation makes it easier for veterans to get their CDL licenses and earn a good living.”
Removing Barriers for Veterans
The bill has garnered support from key organizations in the trucking industry, including the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA). Both groups have long pushed for reforms that would make it easier for veterans to enter the trucking workforce, which faces a shortage of drivers.
At the core of the legislation is the removal of the two-year waiting period that currently affects secondary branches of CDL training programs. Under existing rules, the VA is prohibited from approving courses at branches that have been in operation for less than two years. Fischer’s bill will lift this restriction, provided that the CDL program at the new branch is state-licensed and follows the same curriculum as the primary institution that has already been approved by the VA.
This change is expected to open up more training opportunities for veterans across the country, allowing them to use their GI Bill benefits more effectively and enter the workforce more quickly.
Oversight Concerns and Bipartisan Negotiations
Despite broad support for the bill, some House members voiced concerns about the absence of additional oversight provisions that were part of earlier discussions. Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) pointed out that his committee had worked to strengthen the bill by adding protections that would prevent veterans from enrolling in low-quality CDL programs, sometimes referred to as “fly-by-night” schools.
“I do wish to point out that our committee has been working on this bill for months, and we reached a bipartisan agreement on improved language that would empower state agencies to conduct proper oversight,” Takano said during the House debate. He argued that the bill in its current form failed to include these essential safeguards, despite bipartisan efforts.
Takano did, however, receive a commitment from Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) to introduce new legislation in the next Congress that would include these oversight measures.
Looking Ahead
While the passage of the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023 is widely seen as a win for veterans, the absence of the oversight provisions leaves some lawmakers hoping for future legislative fixes. Rep. Bost assured the House that efforts to strengthen the bill would continue, aiming to ensure that veterans receive high-quality training and that programs benefiting from their GI Bill benefits are held to appropriate standards.
For now, the legislation marks a meaningful step forward in expanding opportunities for veterans in the trucking industry, providing them with quicker access to training that can lead to stable and well-paying careers. The president is expected to sign the bill into law soon, cementing these changes and opening new doors for veterans across the country.
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