Congressman John Moolenaar Leads National Charge to Invest in Veterans’ Futures
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-02) has emerged as one of the most consistent and forward-looking voices in federal veteran advocacy. This week, Moolenaar reintroduced the Veterans Fellowship Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored with Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI). The legislation is designed to help veterans and transitioning service members secure meaningful employment as they return to civilian life.
“Veterans often face unique challenges after their service when entering the workforce as civilians,” said Moolenaar.
“The Veterans Fellowship Act would provide them a pathway to gain useful skills for full-time employment in a new career. Veterans make significant sacrifices to keep our nation safe, and our bipartisan legislation will support them after their service.”
Rep. Scholten added:
“We are the home of the free because of the brave... I’m proud to work with Rep. Moolenaar to support efforts that invest in our veterans and their futures.”
Read the official press release and legislative details here:
Moolenaar, Scholten Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Veterans Enter the Workforce
From 2021 Endorsement to 2025 Legislation: A Full Circle for National Invest In Veterans Week®
Congressman Moolenaar’s dedication to investing in veterans predates the current bill. On March 3, 2021, he issued one of the earliest public endorsements of National Invest In Veterans Week®, stating:
“Our freedom is in large part thanks to the dedication and service of our heroic veterans and their families. They deserve our honor, respect, and support. I will always fight for investment in our veterans!”
— Congressman John Moolenaar
#InvestInVeteransWeek
Original endorsement:
Campaigns Daily – Invest In Veterans Week (2021)
That early support helped propel National Invest In Veterans Week® into a national civic framework, and now, under Moolenaar’s continued leadership, its core message is reflected in real-world legislative infrastructure.
National Movement, Global Impact
Today, National Invest In Veterans Week® is more than an observance—it is the only federally trademarked civic initiative of its kind (U.S. Reg. No. 6784776). Founded in 2019 by Lt. Col. Rickey L. Pope (Ret.), NFL veteran Drayton Florence, and Iraq War veteran Jeff Shuford, it has grown into a legislative, academic, and international platform for veteran entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
Recent milestones include:
Harvard Catalyst Endorsement (January 2025): Harvard Medical School’s research division spotlighted National Invest In Veterans Week® as a model framework for veteran transition, calling for greater collaboration across government, academia, and the private sector.
Read moreITA Growth Partners Formation (March 2025): Announced by ITA International, this family office—founded by Mike and Kathy Melo and their daughters—is dedicated to long-term investment in veteran-owned businesses, mirroring the initiative’s core values.
More infoInternational Expansion to Canada (March 2025): Northern Ontario Business published “Investing in Veterans: A Call to Northern Ontario’s Business Community”, marking the first global recognition of the U.S.-originated initiative.
Congressional Record Citations:
May 24, 2023 – Rep. Don Davis (NC-01): Speech titled “Investing in Our Veterans” (Vol. 169, H2588).
March 8, 2024 – Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-02): Official floor acknowledgment of Invest in Veterans Week (Vol. 170, H1049).
A Blueprint for Federal Impact
Through sustained leadership, Congressman John Moolenaar has helped shape National Invest In Veterans Week® into a federally validated, bipartisan-supported, and now internationally echoed initiative. His reintroduction of the Veterans Fellowship Act is not an isolated gesture—it is the legislative expression of a movement years in the making.
By linking national observance with actionable policy, Moolenaar exemplifies how elected officials can go beyond statements of support to architect durable solutions that uplift veterans economically and honor their service structurally.
To Learn More:
For further reading on the growing national and international impact of National Invest In Veterans Week®, visit Harvard Catalyst Spotlights National Invest In Veterans Week® as Model for Cross-Sector Veteran Empowerment, which explores the academic community’s recognition of the initiative. Additionally, learn how National Invest In Veterans Week® became the first U.S. veteran business observance celebrated internationally and how ITA Growth Partners’ launch reinforces this momentum by visiting: International Recognition Coverage.
