Military spouses face a much higher rate of unemployment compared to other workers in the U.S.
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is cosponsoring legislation that would help spouses of those serving in the military that find it difficult to get a job.
Moody is signing on to the Military Spouse Hiring Act[1], which seeks to end some of the difficulties the families of active military personnel face when looking for a job. The measure aims to help those spouses and family members who experience high unemployment rates when the military service personnel are assigned to different locales.
A news release said the military spouse unemployment rate is about 21%, according to the U.S. Department of Defense[2], wildly higher than the regular national figure, which currently stands at 4.2%.
“Military spouses play an integral role in supporting our service members who receive relocation orders every few years in defense of our national security. Now, it is time we have these spouses’ backs in return,” Moody said.
“This legislation incentivizes employers to hire qualified individuals and will help provide financial stability and increase the retention of our brave warriors. I’m proud to fight on behalf of our military families and cosponsor the Military Spouse Hiring Act.”
One of the key elements to the bill involves providing tax credits to employers who hire military spouses to offset some of the costs for onboarding a new worker.
Moody said the high employment rate among military spouses not only demoralizes those family members, but it impacts morale of the service members. That, in turn, can negatively affect military active service member retention rates.
The legislation is drawing bipartisan support. It was originally drafted by U.S. Sens. John Boozman, an Arkansas Republican; Maggie Hassan, a New Hampshire Democrat; Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat; and Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican.
The measure is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill as it is now being cosponsored by not only Moody, but 11 other Senators from both parties.
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References
- ^ Military Spouse Hiring Act (www.congress.gov)
- ^ U.S. Department of Defense (www.usa.gov)