HR-7939 : Became Public Law

Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act of 2022

This bill provides permanent authority for the application of certain flexibilities to assist veterans with their educational assistance benefits during emergency situations (as declared by the President). Specifically, the bill extends certain program adjustments that were implemented during the COVID-19 emergency to other emergency situations that may arise and have an effect on veterans and their educational assistance benefits.

Among other flexibilities, the bill

  • authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to provide educational assistance, including monthly housing stipends or subsistence allowances, for programs of education that have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation;
  • ensures that an educational assistance payment will not be charged against any entitlement to educational assistance or counted against the aggregate period in situations where an individual was unable to complete a course or program due to an emergency situation;
  • extends the time limitation for using educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill, or vocational rehabilitation program when institutions are closed due to an emergency situation or executive order;
  • authorizes the payment of work-study allowances during emergency periods;
  • ensures an educational assistance payment shall not be charged against an individual's entitlement if the individual was unable to complete a course or program due to the temporary closure of an educational institution or the temporary termination of a program by reason of an emergency situation; and
  • adjusts the administration of certain benefits for veterans participating in an apprenticeship or other on-job training.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2023-01-05PresidentBecame Public Law No: 117-333.Library of Congress
2023-01-05PresidentSigned by President.Library of Congress
2022-12-28FloorPresented to President.House floor actions
2022-12-22ResolvingDifferencesMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2022-12-22VoteOn motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 380 - 35 (Roll no. 546). (consideration: CR H10037-10038; text: 12/21/2022 CR H9961-9966)House floor actions
2022-12-21ResolvingDifferencesAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
2022-12-21FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 7939.House floor actions
2022-12-21ResolvingDifferencesMr. Takano moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H9961-9968)House floor actions
2022-12-21FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2022-12-20FloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S9643-9649)Senate
2022-12-20FloorMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9609-9610)Senate
2022-09-15IntroReferralReceived in the Senate, read twice.Senate
2022-09-14FloorPursuant to section 11 of H. Res. 1339, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 1468, as amended; H.R. 5865; H.R. 5916, as amended; H.R. 7735, as amended; H.R. 7846; H.R. 7939, as amended; H.R. 8260, as amended; and S. 4205. (consideration: CR H7814-7822; text: CR H7814-7819)House floor actions
2022-09-14FloorPursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1339, proceedings on H.R. 7939 are considered vacated.House floor actions
2022-09-13FloorAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
2022-09-13FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7939.House floor actions
2022-09-13FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7760-7767; text: CR H7761-7765)House floor actions
2022-09-13FloorMr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
2022-07-19CommitteeOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.House committee actions
2022-07-19CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2022-07-18CommitteeSubcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.House committee actions
2022-06-13CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.House committee actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2022-06-03IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Armed Forces and National Security
See Subjects
  • Educational facilities and institutions
  • Educational technology and distance education
  • Employment and training programs
  • Higher education
  • Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
  • Student aid and college costs
  • Temporary and part-time employment
  • Unemployment
  • Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
  • Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Related Bills

See Related Bills