{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=583F38CF-D021-484E-965E-6F70C7D0DB26", "Rep. Norcross Statement on the Unanimous Passing of the BRAVE Act", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Norcross", "N000188", "norcross.house.gov", "norcross", "https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement regarding the unanimous House passage of his legislation, H.R. 147, the Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education (BRAVE) Act:\n\n\u201cWe provide America\u2019s servicemembers with world-class training to fulfill their responsibilities to our nation, and it is only right that we provide them with world-class opportunities as they transition back into civilian society,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross, the author of the bill. \u201cThe men and women of the U.S. Armed Services are highly skilled and uniquely qualified for Registered Apprenticeships, which allow apprentices to earn while they learn and build toward a fulfilling career in a skilled trade.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Department of Labor, 92% of apprentices who complete a Registered Apprenticeship retain employment, with an average annual salary of $72,000. For comparison, the average starting salary for a graduate of a traditional four-year college is around $55,000 a year.\n\n\u201cPrograms like Helmets to Hardhats act as pipelines for the veteran community into the skilled trades. But without the education and training piece, these vital career pathways aren\u2019t being tapped to their fullest potential,\u201d continued Norcross. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m proud the BRAVE Act passed today. It will bridge servicemembers to long-term, family-sustaining careers.\u201d\n\nThere are an estimated 3 million veterans who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom are considered \u201cprime working age\u201d or between the ages of 25-54.\n\nThe BRAVE Act provides servicemembers transitioning off active duty better access to information about and access to VA-certified registered apprenticeship programs. It also extends Post-9/11 GI Bill stipend benefits to participants in these registered apprenticeship programs.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://norcross.house.gov/press-releases?ID=583F38CF-D021-484E-965E-6F70C7D0DB26"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8422948885709047, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}