Metro East Sun

The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA), which includes significant changes to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The reforms were championed by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.).

Current law requires that TAP begin no later than 365 days before a servicemember leaves the military. However, recent oversight hearings and a Congressionally mandated report found that only half of transitioning servicemembers attend TAP at the required time. This statistic has prompted efforts in Congress to improve the program so veterans are better prepared for civilian life.

“As Chairman, I have met with servicemembers, and their families stationed at home and around the world and heard firsthand their struggles when it comes to navigating the transition from active-duty to civilian life. We have worked hard to move the needle on TAP to get servicemembers – regardless of rank – the best program that meets their individual needs, but there is always more work to be done,” said Chairman Bost. “My amendment in this year’s NDAA builds on our efforts and will bring needed improvements to TAP by requiring pre-transition counseling, allowing servicemembers to attend TAP more than once and with their spouse, modernizing the financial planning section, improving coordination between all federal agencies that participate in TAP and more. These changes will make a real difference in our servicemembers overall experience with TAP and I am grateful to my friend, Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, for working with me to secure these vitally important provisions in this year’s NDAA on behalf of servicemembers and their families.”

Provisions secured by Bost include mandatory separation counseling lasting at least three days unless a job or educational opportunity has already been accepted; a waiver for certain Reserve members allowing them to attend TAP every three years unless new information arises; a pilot program encouraging multiple attendances at TAP with spouses; enhanced financial planning instruction covering debt management, taxes, and investing; improved coordination among the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor; yearly surprise audits of TAP; curriculum updates; website improvements; and integration with the Solid Start Program.

Mike Bost has maintained his seat as U.S. Representative for Illinois's 12th congressional district through several election cycles since 2014.