Congresswoman Matsui Votes to Put Veterans Back to Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Votes to Put Veterans Back to Work
Calls for Action on More Pieces of American Jobs Act

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) voted in favor of the Senate amendment to H.R. 674 that will help put America's veterans back to work. In its original form, H.R. 674 repeals the rule requiring federal, state, and local government agencies to withhold 3 percent of payments to contractors. The legislation was amended in the Senate to also include provisions related to veteran employment and job-training from President Obama's American Jobs Act as well as pieces from H.R. 1941, the Hiring Heroes Act, and H.R. 2433, the VOW Act.

Our youngest veterans those who have been fighting for our country in places like Afghanistan and Iraq have an unemployment rate of over 20%, said Congresswoman Matsui. This is simply unacceptable. These brave men and women have made great sacrifices for our country, and we must ensure that they have the support they deserve as they transition to civilian life.

Under H.R. 674, businesses that hires veterans who have been searching for a job for six months or more will receive a $5,600 tax credit. Those who hire a veteran who has been searching more than four weeks but less than six months will receive a credit of $2,400. Businesses that hire veterans with service-related disabilities who have been unemployed for more than six months will receive a credit of $9,600.

Additionally, education and training opportunities for older veterans would be expanded to provide 100,000 unemployed veterans of past eras and wars with up to one year additional Montgomery GI benefits for education and training programs at community colleges and technical schools. And disabled veterans will be provided up to one year of additional Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits. The legislation is fully paid for by extending a VA mortgage fee.

Matsui added, I am happy to see this piece of the American Jobs Act pass through Congress, and hope that we will be given the opportunity to vote on more parts of this critical legislation. 14 million unemployed Americans cannot wait.

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