Press Releases

This week, legislation that Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) sponsored to significantly improve the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), helping servicemembers transition from active duty service to civilian life, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Click here to see Congressman Arrington’s full remarks from the House Floor on the Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William “Bill” Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2019. “Our country makes a tremendous investment in preparing our citizen soldiers to be freedom fighters, to be part of the greatest fighting force in all the world, but then we invest a fraction of that in their transition back to civilian life. This is an investment in prevention, and if we can do a better job on the front end, then we can prevent folks from struggling with addiction, unemployment, homelessness, suicide and a number of challenges that disproportionately affect our veterans,” said Arrington. “Next Monday, we will celebrate Memorial Day and take time to pay tribute to those who not only served but also made the ultimate sacrifice, those American heroes who never made it home. However, even when our soldiers do return home from war, it doesn’t always mean that the conflict is over for them. There is often a battle that continues to rage on. It is a big reason that we see so many soldiers take their own lives. “One of those veterans, sadly enough, was my friend Bill, my fellow Plainview Bulldog for whom this bill was named. Bill was a warrior’s warrior. He served this country with honor and distinction. Like many veterans, Bill’s greatest fight wasn’t on the battlefield. It was the struggle that often ensues from the mental, emotional, and physical wear and tear of military service. After 20 years as a combat Navy SEAL, Bill bore scars you couldn’t see, and he struggled to make that transition from Active Duty to civilian life. “For a lot of our veterans, it is not the skills gap that is important. It is not always the education gap. It is not even redefining your mission and purpose after such a sacred calling as to wear the United States uniform. Sometimes, it is a mental health issue. I am grateful that we have included mental health in this legislation because that was the case for Mr. Mulder. We owe this to the likes of Bill Mulder. This legislation may just save lives, and I believe it will.” Background: • Created in 1991, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a joint program administered by the Departments of Defense (DoD), Labor (DoL), and Veterans Affairs (VA) intended to assist servicemembers who are leaving the military have a successful transition to civilian life by providing them with guidance regarding financial literacy, job placement and VA benefits. • This legislation would improve the TAP program by reauthorizing a pilot program to provide TAP curriculum to servicemembers at off-base locations. It would also authorize a five-year pilot program to provide matching grant funds to community providers who offer wraparound services to veterans who have recently transitioned out of the military. • Additionally, the bill would require an independent assessment of TAP as well as a longitudinal study on the long-term outcomes for veterans who attend TAP. • Read the bill here.