Brad Finstad (R-MN)
Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026. It aims to change veterans educational assistance rules so that individuals are not disadvantaged when choosing apprenticeships or on-job training over a traditional four-year college degree. The bill updates the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program to adjust monthly housing stipends for full-time training programs. It also updates the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve to provide 100 percent of the monthly educational assistance allowance. Additionally, the legislation waives minimum attendance requirements for individuals in the construction industry.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Significantly improves educational and housing assistance for veterans pursuing trades.
- Scored +6
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill enhances educational assistance and housing stipends specifically for veterans in apprenticeship programs.
- Scored +4
Would students be better off under this?
Provides better financial terms for students pursuing non-traditional educational paths.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better Housing Stipends: Under section 2(a)(1), individuals in a full-time program of apprenticeship or on-job training will receive a monthly housing stipend equal to the basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents where the employer is located. This is positive because it ensures the housing amount does not deter people from choosing these training programs.
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Full Educational Assistance Allowance: Under section 2(b)(1) and section 2(c)(1), individuals using the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program or assistance for Selected Reserve members will receive 100 percent of their monthly educational assistance allowance for full-time apprenticeships or on-job training. This helps ensure veterans and service members get their full financial support while learning a trade.
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Attendance Requirement Waivers for Construction: Under section 2(a)(2), section 2(b)(2), and section 2(c)(2), minimum attendance requirements are waived for individuals pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training in construction industry occupations. This is positive because it removes rigid rules that could penalize workers in the construction sector.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based on the explicit text of the bill, there are no specific provisions that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Significantly improves educational and housing assistance for veterans pursuing trades. Would students be better off under this? — Provides better financial terms for students pursuing non-traditional educational paths. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increases financial support for those pursuing vocational training over traditional degrees. Would union members be better off under this? — Supports the apprenticeship-based path often associated with skilled trades. Would business owners be better off under this? — Could facilitate access to a more skilled workforce through improved apprenticeship paths. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — May benefit young adult veterans entering the workforce via apprenticeships.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances educational assistance and housing stipends specifically for veterans in apprenticeship programs.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — While focused on apprenticeships, it improves the financial feasibility of non-degree training for veterans.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — By incentivizing apprenticeships, the bill may encourage more individuals to enter skilled trades.
- 9/10/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 9/3/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York