Sen. Kaine (D-VA) introduces legislation to boost military spouses in job market

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and is Co-Chair of the Senate Military Families Caucus, and U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Military Spouse Hiring Act, This legislation proposes to amend the tax code to incentivize businesses to hire military spouses.

“Congress has a responsibility to take care of our service members, veterans, and their families,” Kaine was quoted as saying in a news release.. “That means helping America’s talented military spouses, who consistently make enormous sacrifices for our safety and security, access a wide range of work opportunities. Expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a commonsense step to help make that happen.”

According to Kaine’s news release, military spouses consistently experience unemployment rates substantially higher than the national rate, and two thirds of employed active duty military spouses report underemployment. Frequent moves often stall military spouses’ upward career progression and force them to find new jobs.

The legislation he has introduced would address the issue by expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program—which incentivizes employers to hire individuals who experience unique employment barriers—to include military spouses.

Kaine has long advocated for federal policies to help military spouses. The provisions of Kaine’s Military Spouse Employment Act which were included in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act expanded hiring and career opportunities for military spouses, improved access to continuing education programs, expanded transition and counseling resources, increased small business opportunities for military spouses, provided more opportunities for family wellness programs on military bases, and addressed the constant transfers and moves military families experience.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act is supported by 28 military associations from every branch of service as well as some related groups.

“The military spouse unemployment rate has remained too high for too long. When military spouses can’t find work, it’s a problem for their family’s financial stability and wellbeing,” said Besa Pinchotti, Executive Director and CEO of the National Military Family Association. “The Military Spouse Hiring Act will encourage more employers to hire military spouses, investing in our military spouses, our military families, and our military as a whole.”

Retired USAF Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, CEO and president of MOAA, was quoted as saying,  “Military spouses make tremendous sacrifices for our country yet continue to face significant burdens when it comes to employment opportunities. The continued high rate of unemployment and under employment among military spouses not only impacts the financial stability of military families, but also hurts military retention. More than a third of military families cite spouse employment challenges as a reason for leaving active duty.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19).