Walden’s bipartisan bill restarts VA work-study program in federal offices

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) on July 13 introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study program in congressional offices that specifically would permit VA congressional work-study students to perform outreach services to U.S. military service members, veterans and their dependents, as well as assist with efforts to secure earned benefits and services.

“This legislation helps provide veterans access to job training and work-study programs — both which play critical roles in veterans’ transition to civilian life,” Rep. Walden said. “I am glad to sponsor this bill that will deliver for so many veterans in Oregon and across the nation.”

Rep. Walden is an original cosponsor of H.R. 7584 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) to authorize individuals who are pursuing specific VA programs to receive work-study allowances for certain outreach services provided through congressional offices, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Rep. DeFazio said H.R. 7584 would ensure that every dollar spent on the program improves federal efforts to help the nation’s veterans. “I’m hopeful that this legislation will cut through pointless government bureaucracy to revive this successful program,” he said.

Since the 1980s, congressional offices had been eligible to participate in a VA work-study program, which allowed student veterans to develop job skills while assisting their fellow veterans in navigating the VA’s bureaucracy.

However, after 25 years of successful program operation, the VA ended work-study eligibility for congressional offices in 2009.

The legislation, which would reauthorize the program, has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“Our veterans deserve to receive the benefits and services they earned,” said Rep. Walden. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill passed and to the president’s desk.”