U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), joined by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), introduced the Military Spouses Employment Act, legislation to amend tax code. encourage businesses to hire military spouses.

“Serving in the military uniform of our country is a family affair. Military spouses are an important part of the support system at the heart of the US military, and they deserve wide access to important career opportunities. Our bill is helping employers hire these skilled and resilient men and women to bolster their own organizations as well as bolster our national defenses,” Buzman said.

“Our service members and their families are making countless sacrifices for our safety and freedom,” Kane said. “In turn, we have an obligation to look after them, and that should include helping talented American military spouses access a wide range of job opportunities. Extending the tax credit to employment opportunities is a bipartisan and common sense move that can help us get there.”

“It is not only the soldiers themselves who sacrifice themselves to keep our country safe and free, but also their family members who, while supporting them, also face various problems,” Hassan said. “Military spouses often find it difficult to find work due to relocation and other factors, which is why we are reintroducing this bipartisan bill to encourage companies to hire them. This business tax credit is a common sense and concrete way to help our Military Families and I will continue to work to help the military and their families.”

“Our service members and their families are making incredible sacrifices to protect our country,” Rounds said. “One of those casualties includes moving from one mission to another, which can make it harder for military spouses to get jobs and for employers to hire them. We have an obligation to remove barriers to their financial well-being for military personnel and their families. Extending the employment opportunities tax credit for military spouses will help remove one barrier by giving our military families the opportunities they deserve.”

Related legislation was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA-08).

“My mother was a military wife and I am well aware of the challenges faced by partners of active duty military personnel who often have to move their families long distances,” Beyer said. “Our legislation will make important changes to the tax code to overcome barriers to employment that disproportionately affect military spouses and show military families that their service to the nation is valued. I believe this is a kind of bipartisan measure that can be taken by the Ways and Means Committee and I will continue to work with my colleagues in both parties to advance it in the current session.”

According to a survey conducted by Blue Star Families, military spouse employment is the top issue affecting military families and a major cause of financial stress among military families. Military spouses consistently face unemployment rates well above the national rate, and two-thirds of military spouses report underemployment. Frequent relocations often hinder the career growth of military spouses and force them to look for a new job. This is detrimental to military families and military preparedness.

The Military Spouse Employment Act will address this issue by expanding the Employment Opportunity Tax Credit program, which incentivizes employers to hire individuals facing unique labor barriers to include military spouses.

In addition to Buzman, Kane, Hassan, and Round, the bill’s co-sponsors include Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Corey Booker (D -NJ), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Jean Shaheen (D-NH ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mark Warner (D-CO). -VA).

Military organizations supporting this measure include the Association of Aerospace Forces, the Association of Air Force Sergeants, American Veterans, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, Blue Star Families, the Association of Officers of the United States Public Health Service, the Association of Chief Warrant Officers of the United States Coast Guard, the Enlisted Association of the National United States Guards, Fleet Reserve Association, Iraqi and Afghan Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, League of Marine Corps, United States Military Chaplains Association, Military Families Advisory Network, American Association of Military Officers, Military Spouse Advocacy Network, National Association of Military Families , National Military Spouses Network, Noncommissioned Officers Association, Reserve Organization of America, Women Serving Action Network, American Legion, Retirees Association, Survival Tragedy Relief Program ors, US Army Ensigns Association, Vietnam Ve Terans of America, Tax Credit Coalition for Employment Opportunities, and the Wounded Warriors Project.

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