Veterans Power America: Kiggans, Houlahan Introduce Bipartisan VET Act to Support Veterans and Strengthen America’s Energy Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), both military veterans and members of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced the Veterans Energy Transition (VET) Act, bipartisan legislation to help connect transitioning servicemembers with high-quality jobs in America’s energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The bill strengthens the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program by formally authorizing partnerships with employers in the energy, utility, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The legislation also streamlines participation for small businesses and nonprofits, expands access for military spouses, and prioritizes collaboration with registered apprenticeship programs.

“Our nation is facing a growing shortage of skilled workers to support our energy infrastructure and manufacturing capacity. At the same time, we have thousands of highly trained veterans transitioning from active duty who are ready to serve in new ways,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. “The VET Act connects these dots. By helping veterans transition directly into the energy workforce, we’re addressing workforce gaps, supporting military families, and strengthening America’s economic and energy security.”

“As both a veteran and an engineer, I understand the value of the technical skill, discipline, and mission-driven leadership that our servicemembers bring to the workforce—and how urgently our energy and manufacturing sectors need them,” said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan. “The VET Act builds a strong bridge between two national imperatives: supporting our transitioning service members and ensuring America’s energy security. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to deliver lasting opportunities for our servicemembers while bolstering the industries that power our economy and safeguard our national security.”

Policy experts and industry leaders praised the bill:
“The VET Act connects our wealth of veteran talent with a growing workforce gap: a lack of technically skilled workers to build out our energy and grid sectors,” said Liza Reed, Director of Climate and Energy at the Niskanen Center. “Thank you to Representatives Houlahan and Kiggans for recognizing this need and developing legislation that leverages the successful SkillBridge Program to provide a smooth transition for U.S. service members to these essential jobs.”

“The VET Act is a smart, mission-aligned investment in both our veterans and America’s future,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “This legislation provides transitioning servicemembers and their families with the training, support, and opportunities they need to build meaningful careers in energy and advanced manufacturing. It’s a win for veterans, a win for our workforce, and a win for national security.”

“Energy demand is accelerating across the United States, and workforce shortages are a significant constraint on grid modernization and resilience,” said a spokesperson for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). “The VET Act will help match veterans’ technical and operational skills with the manufacturers of critical electrical equipment and components. NEMA applauds Reps. Kiggans and Houlahan for their leadership.”

“The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) applauds the introduction of the VET Act and the leadership of Congresswoman Kiggans and Congresswoman Houlahan in both growing our skilled workforce and supporting military families,” said Marco Giamberardino, with NECA. “Our nation is the leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation. However, we need to continue to build our skilled workforce capacity if we are going to compete with the rest of the world and push for across-the-board American energy dominance. Our disciplined, driven, and highly trained service members, many of whom perform similar functions in our Armed Forces, are perfectly positioned to meet this demand. NECA contractors are already training and equipping the next generation of electricians, and bringing more transitioning service members into the fold – providing them with benefits and critical skills – while also meeting our nation’s needs is a win-win.”  

“The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) is grateful for the work that Congresswoman Kiggans and Congresswoman Houlahan have put into this effort to introduce the VET Act,” said
NAED President and CEO Wes Smith. “Our industry, like others, is facing significant workforce challenges which will only get worse if we fail to act.  At the same time, approximately 200,000 service members transition from active duty each year and are an ideal pool of talent that are trained, highly motivated, and uniquely equipped to help the nation build, distribute, and install the electrical infrastructure needed to keep America’s economy on the cutting edge.  As an Air Force veteran, I know firsthand how rewarding and vital this work is to our nation’s future and am excited to welcome a new generation of professionals needed to get the job done.” 

You can find the full text of this bill here.
You can find a one pager on this bill here.

Background:
• Labor shortages in energy and manufacturing sectors threaten U.S. economic and national security
• Nearly 10,000 electricians leave the workforce annually, while only 7,000 enter (BLS)
• 200,000+ service members transition out of the military each year with skills suited to these sectors
• Veterans face barriers despite being ideal candidates for technical careers
• The VET Act builds a resilient energy workforce while supporting those who served

Specifically, this legislation would:
• Create a Department of Labor grant program for employers in energy and advanced manufacturing who hire eligible veterans, service members, and spouses
• Provides up to $10,000 per hire and $500,000 per employer annually for training, certification, relocation, and onboarding
• Prioritizes support for involuntarily separated service members and retirees and veterans with service-connected disabilities or experiencing homelessness
• Coordinate with existing DoD and VA transition programs: TAP, SkillBridge, and Solid Start