HR 2625119th CongressIn Committee

VERY Act of 2025

Introduced: Apr 3, 2025

Veterans Affairs

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Veterans Employment Readiness Yield Act of 2025 (VERY Act) amends title 38 of the United States Code to standardize the language used to describe obstacles veterans face in finding or maintaining employment. Specifically, it replaces the terms “employment handicap” (and the plural form “employment handicaps”) with “employment barrier” (and “employment barriers”) throughout Title 38. The change is purely terminological and does not alter eligibility for benefits, program eligibility, or the underlying policies of VA employment programs. The bill has moved through the House and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for consideration.

Key Points

1Terminology update: Replaces “employment handicap” with “employment barrier” and “employment handicaps” with “employment barriers” anywhere those terms appear in Title 38.
2Scope: Applies to all occurrences within Title 38; intended to standardize language across federal veterans employment programs.
3Substance vs. language: No changes to benefits, eligibility, or program authority; the change is strictly about wording.
4Administrative impact: Requires federal agencies, including VA, to update regulations, guidance, forms, and materials to reflect the new terminology.
5Effective date and status: The bill does not specify an effective date in the text; if enacted, updates would be implemented by agencies as required. The bill has passed the House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Veterans receiving employment services and benefits under VA programs (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) and VA staff who administer these programs.Secondary group/area affected- Employers and organizations partnering with VA employment programs; other federal agencies implementing Title 38-related employment provisions.Additional impacts- Administrative changes: updating regulations, manuals, training materials, forms, and digital content to reflect the new terminology.- Potential effect on stigma and perceptions: using “barrier” may be viewed as less stigmatizing than “handicap.”- Minor costs and workload for agencies to implement terminology updates; no change in program outcomes or eligibility.

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