Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s Bipartisan Bill Passes the House Unanimously, Helping Veterans Secure Jobs in High-Demand Trades

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 2, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez’s bipartisan VETS Opportunity Act passed the House and is one step closer to becoming law. This legislation would expand education benefits to ensure veterans can attend skilled trade and vocational schools and find gainful employment in high-demand trades.

“This is a commonsense solution that works for veterans and for our economy,” said Rep. Vasquez, who represents nearly 40,000 veterans. “It opens the door to high-demand careers, helps address workforce shortages, and ensures veterans can use their earned benefits in ways that match today’s job market.”

“This not only improves the way veterans access their benefits, it also sets them up for success and helps tackle the current workforce shortage in skilled trades,” said Rep. Ciscomani (AZ-06) who introduced the legislation alongside Rep. Vasquez. 

The VETS Opportunity Act allows the costs of skilled trade, vocational, and hybrid learning programs to be covered under the GI Bill’s educational benefits. Equipping veterans to develop high-demand skills at trade and vocational schools helps prepare them to enter the current civilian workforce after their time in uniform has concluded. 

Representative Vasquez is a champion for veterans, pushing for commonsense solutions to  ensure they have access to education, work, and housing following their service. This includes:

• Sponsoring the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act to increase the yearly book and supply stipend for student veterans, providing them the financial stability to focus on their futures.
• Cosponsoring the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act to boost the housing allowance veterans receive when taking online classes from 50% to 100%.
• Introducing the Honor and Hire Veterans Act, incentivizing employment opportunities for veterans as part of his Affordability Agenda. 

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