Waterloo, IA - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) wrote to President Obama urging him to take action on veterans' unemployment. Rep. Braley's letter called on the president to include business tax incentives to hire veterans in any upcoming jobs plan.
"In today's difficult job market, one in four of our post-9/11 veterans is currently unemployed," said Rep. Braley. "After their distinguished service to our country, we should do all we can to help our veterans find employment in their civilian lives."
Last week, Congressman Braley introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act which exempts businesses from paying the employer's share of the Social Security tax for up to one year through December 31, 2012 - if they hire current members of the National Guard or Reserve, or any veteran who has returned from deployment within the last 18 months and is currently unemployed. Employers who keep eligible employees on the payroll for 52 consecutive weeks will receive an additional $1,000 tax credit.
Congressman Braley currently serves on the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
A copy of the letter is pasted below and available here: http://go.usa.gov/ktx
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Dear President Obama,
I write today with increasing concern over unemployment in our veteran community.
As you know, unemployment among veterans in general, and particularly post-9/11 veterans, is far outpacing the national unemployment levels. I appreciate your attention to this issue in your August 16, 2011 address in Peosta, IA, and your commitment to connect our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with businesses who can put their talents to work.
As one way to pursue this goal, I recently introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act to encourage employers to hire recently returned veterans. This legislation would provide a one-year payroll tax exemption to employers for each veteran they hire, and offer an additional $1000 credit per veteran after 52 weeks of employment to encourage long-term employment. My legislation also extends the credit to our citizen soldiers in the National Guard and Reserve who have been called on to make substantial sacrifices in our post-9/11 military responses.
As Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I am committed to finding ways to help our veterans once they leave the service, and helping them put their valuable experience to work to improve their communities. As such, I urge you to include business tax incentives for hiring veterans in any upcoming job creation proposals.
I look forward to your response, and thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Bruce Braley
cc: Secretary Eric Shinseki, Department of Veterans Affairs
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