03.06.23

Hoeven Helps Introduce Legislation to Boost Hiring of Military Spouses

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven joined his colleagues in introducing the Military Spouse Hiring Act, legislation to amend the tax code to incentivize businesses to hire military spouses. This bill, led by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, which incentivizes employers to hire individuals who experience unique employment barriers, to include military spouses.

A recent survey by Blue Star Families states that military spouse employment is the top issue impacting active-duty families, while being the greatest contributor to financial stress among military families. Military spouses consistently experience unemployment rates substantially higher than the national rate, and two thirds of employed active-duty military spouses report underemployment. 

“Our men and women in uniform do not serve our country alone. With frequent moves across the country, military spouses can face challenges and barriers when re-entering the workforce in their new communities,” said Hoeven. “This legislation is a commonsense approach to helping fulfill needs in the workforce while encouraging employers to support military families.” 

In addition to Hoeven, Kaine, Boozman, Hassan, and Rounds, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.).

The legislation builds upon Hoeven’s efforts in the 117th Congress, where he helped introduce the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2021. Earlier this year, provisions of the bill were signed into law, making it easier for military spouses to transfer their professional licenses after changing duty stations.

  

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