SHAHEEN SUPPORTS BILL TO PUT VETERANS BACK TO WORK

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today voted for legislation that would help veterans find jobs.  The VOW to Hire Heroes Act offers tax credits to businesses who hire veterans, funds additional job training for older veterans, and makes it easier for veterans to apply for federal jobs while still on active duty.  The bill, which Shaheen cosponsored, passed the Senate in a vote of 95-0 and now heads to the House for consideration.

“Transitioning back to civilian life and finding work can be challenging for veterans,” Shaheen said.  “This bill gives veterans the tools they need to succeed.  We owe our veterans every opportunity to make a living, and we benefit from taking advantage of their skills. This legislation will help veterans, and it will help our economy.”

The bill includes the following key provisions:

• Tax credit of up to $5,600 for businesses that hire veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months, as well as a $2,400 credit for businesses that hire veterans who have been unemployed for more than 4 weeks, but less than 6 months.
• Tax credit of up to $9,600 for businesses that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months.
• Expands education and training opportunities for older veterans by providing 100,000 unemployed veterans of past eras and wars with up to one year of additional Montgomery GI benefits to go toward education or training programs at community colleges or technical schools.  
• Allows service members to begin the federal employment process prior to separation in order to facilitate a truly seamless transition from the military to jobs at Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, or the many other federal agencies in need of our veterans.