VERY Act of 2025
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Would update the language used in federal veterans employment law by replacing the outdated term 'employment handicap' with 'employment barrier' throughout Title 38 of the U.S. Code, which governs the Veteran Readiness and Employment program.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would make a single terminology change across Title 38 of the U.S. Code: wherever the words "employment handicap" or "employment handicaps" currently appear, they would be replaced with "employment barrier" or "employment barriers." This affects the statutory language governing the Veteran Readiness and Employment program, which helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. The change is purely linguistic — it updates the terminology to use more modern, preferred language without altering any eligibility rules, benefit amounts, or program requirements.
Key provisions
- 1Would replace every instance of 'employment handicap' and 'employment handicaps' in Title 38, U.S. Code, with 'employment barrier' and 'employment barriers'
Who would be affected
Veterans who participate in or are evaluated under the Veteran Readiness and Employment program, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs staff and administrators who administer the program. The substantive rules governing who qualifies and what benefits are available would remain unchanged.
Why it matters
For veterans navigating the Veteran Readiness and Employment program, the change replaces a term widely considered outdated and stigmatizing with one that reflects contemporary usage. No eligibility criteria or benefit levels would change, so the practical effect is limited to the language appearing in federal law and related official documents.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Title 38, United States Code (Sec. 2)
Replaces all occurrences of 'employment handicap' and 'employment handicaps' with 'employment barrier' and 'employment barriers'
Agencies directed to act
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 2625 (the VERY Act of 2025) would have no significant effect on the federal deficit, with any discretionary spending less than $500,000 over the 2025–2035 period.
H.R. 2625 would replace the term "employment handicap" with "employment barrier" in the section of federal law governing veterans' benefits. CBO estimates zero effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues over the 2025–2035 scoring window. Any costs — related to updating VA materials that have not already been revised — would be less than $500,000 over that period and would be subject to the availability of appropriated (discretionary) funds. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Official CRS summary
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This bill revises terminology used under the Veteran Readiness and Employment program, specifically by replacing the use of employment handicap with employment barrier.
Legislative subjects
Armed Forces and National Security; Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-171