House passes Duffy’s amendment expanding Troops-to-Teachers program in defense measure

A bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) to help more of America’s military veterans get into the education workforce received approval on July 12 by the U.S. House of Representatives as an amendment to a larger defense package.

“I am proud that my colleagues in the House of Representatives joined me in passing this commonsense amendment,” Rep. Duffy said last week.

The amendment mirrors the bipartisan Heroes Entering Roles of Education Service (HEROES) Act, H.R. 2869, which Rep. Duffy introduced in May with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) to expand and rename the Troops-to-Teachers Program, among other purposes.

The amendment became part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, H.R. 2500, which on Friday passed the House.

The amendment aims to help more service members achieve long-term employment once they transition out of the military and, in turn, could enhance the quality of education and school safety for students across the country, according to Rep. Duffy’s office.

“Veterans possess vital leadership experience that can be passed on to our children, greatly enhancing the quality of their education,” said Rep. Duffy. “It is important we recognize the impact that non-teachers employed at schools have on a student’s overall education experience.”

Additionally, the congressman said, federal lawmakers “should be helping veterans gain meaningful employment in these careers, especially given the added benefit their tactical training brings to campus security.”

The larger defense bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.