Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Transition Improvement by Estimating Risk (TIER) Act to support servicemembers as they transition out of active-duty and into the workforce. Specifically, her TIER Act will improve the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) — which helps men and women in the military prepare for civilian careers after their service. The bill adds new screening criteria to TAP, including child care needs and spousal employment status.
“I’ve heard from Nevada veterans about the challenges they face as they prepare for their post-military careers, and they deserve our full support as they transition into civilian life,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “The Transition Assistance Program already provides individualized support to help servicemembers find jobs that best match their skills and interests, and my bill would improve the program to set more Nevada veterans and their families up for success.”
Current law mandates that each military branch establish at least three individualized TAP counseling pathways for every member separating from service. These pathways, or tiers, assess a servicemember’s transition risk and the support they’ll need based on factors, such as rank, service length, disability, health, occupation specialty, and education and employment history, among others.
Cortez Masto’s TIER Act adds new screening criteria to better determine servicemembers’ pathways and risks—including child care needs, spousal employment status, duty location, operational tempo, and Indian or urban Indian status as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Congressmen Mike Levin (D-Calif.) and Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) have introduced companion bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for servicemembers and veterans, as well as for their families. Last year, she secured the expansion of the Fallon Range Training Complex through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She passed her Brian Neuman Act to remove roadblocks for disabled veterans accessing their benefits. She also passed the PACT Act to ensure veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need and worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law. She is also working to pass legislation to ensure the benefits of veterans with service-connected disabilities keep up with the rising cost of living.
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