Pappas, Kiggans Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Cut Red Tape on Trucking Apprenticeship Programs for Veterans

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC),  and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), member of HVAC, introduced the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act, bipartisan legislation to cut red tape for veteran truckers by allowing VA to streamline the approval of certain apprenticeship programs to partner with VA.

Currently, interstate trucking companies must get approval from every state they operate in for veterans to use their VA education benefits for apprenticeship programs at that company. VA has reported that some trucking companies are opting out of offering apprenticeships to veterans due to the bureaucratic hurdles of having to gain approval with over 20 different State Approving Agencies (SAAs). This legislation would help address this problem by allowing interstate commercial carriers to get one approval for all of their apprenticeship programs from VA, simplifying the administration of these programs for motor carriers and allowing them to accommodate more veterans as truck drivers. 

“It’s unacceptable that veterans are losing employment opportunities due to unnecessary and redundant bureaucratic hurdles. Cutting red tape so trucking companies can employ veterans is a commonsense step that will increase opportunities for veterans and help address the trucking shortage,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will streamline the approval process for interstate trucking companies’ apprenticeship programs to partner with VA, ease the pathway for veterans to become truck drivers, and support the trucking industry.”

“As a Navy veteran, I know firsthand the challenges our servicemembers face when transitioning to civilian life,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “After spending time bravely serving our country, our veterans deserve access to meaningful careers without the barriers of government red tape. I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Pappas that will allow the VA to streamline the approval of certain apprenticeship programs, addressing our nation’s trucking workforce shortage and empowering veterans with the tools they need to build successful futures.”

“Members of our military put their lives on the line to defend our nation and our freedom.  When they return home, it is our responsibility to help them achieve the American Dream they fought to protect,” said American Trucking Associations Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom. “By slashing bureaucratic red tape for VA education benefits, the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act would expand career paths in trucking and make it easier for veterans to find good-paying jobs behind the wheel.  ATA commends Representatives Pappas and Kiggans for their leadership on this bipartisan bill, and we look forward to working with them to enact their commonsense reform into law.”

This bipartisan legislation is endorsed by the American Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).