[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 109 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5213-S5214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HELLER (for himself and Mr. Burr):
  S. 3405. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to treat small 
businesses bequeathed to spouses and dependents by members of the Armed 
Forces killed in line of duty as small business concerns owned and 
controlled by veterans for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs 
contracting goals and preferences, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, last month was yet another disappointing 
month of job growth. Over 12 million Americans are unemployed, close to 
6 million have been unemployed for over 27 weeks, and 8 million have 
been forced to work part time because they have been unable to find 
full-time work.
  To put this in context, since this administration came into office, 
the number of Americans who are unemployed has increased by 700,000. 
This is a 5-percent increase in our national unemployment rate. Home 
values and middle-class income have decreased, and America has dropped 
from being the most competitive Nation in the world to the fourth most 
competitive Nation in the world.
  After this administration's failed policies of bailout after bailout, 
Senate Democrats are endorsing the idea of letting America go off the 
so-called fiscal cliff at the end of this year instead of letting 
businesses maintain their existing tax rates. This would effectively 
raise taxes on every American during one of the slowest economic 
recoveries in modern times.
  While I support extending these taxes and giving our Nation's job 
creators certainty, I believe we need tax reform. Our Tax Code is too 
complex. We need to close loopholes, broaden the base, and lower rates.
  As a member of the Committee on Ways and Means in the House, I worked 
on this issue, and I will continue to advocate for comprehensive reform 
while I am in the Senate. While I recognize that sometimes 
comprehensive policies may be difficult to move forward, especially in 
an election year, I believe we can find consensus on commonsense 
solutions.
  Since coming to the Senate, I have advocated for policies that create 
jobs for Nevadans and for all Americans. My State has been one of the 
hardest hit in this current economic climate. Nevada

[[Page S5214]]

has had the distinction of leading the Nation in unemployment for over 
2 years, as well as in foreclosures and bankruptcies. One part of our 
population has been especially hit hard, and that is our veterans.
  Over 13 percent of the Nation's bravest who put their lives on the 
line are unable to find a job in this economy. They come home from 
overseas to find their homes underwater or chronic unemployment in 
their communities. While a number of veterans have fallen on tough 
times financially, some have had difficulty adjusting to civilian life. 
Congress should make it a priority that necessary resources are made 
available to those who have bravely served our Nation. We must also not 
forget the families of our veterans, particularly those who have lost 
loved ones in combat.
  So I am proud to join with Senator Burr to introduce the Veterans 
Small Business Act, which simply ensures that surviving spouses and 
children are eligible for small business benefits. Congress has 
provided numerous benefits to our Nation's veterans who own small 
businesses, including sole-source contracting, low-interest loans, and 
other resources in order to help these small businesses grow and create 
jobs. However, should a spouse or a child of a veteran lose a loved one 
in combat, they can no longer receive these benefits or enroll in these 
programs.
  My legislation closes this large gap in Federal law that does little 
for those who own businesses before their activation and were killed in 
the line of duty. As a Member of Congress, we must honor our Nation's 
fallen as well as ensuring that the loved ones they leave behind have 
the same economic opportunities afforded to that veteran.
  We should be doing all we can to provide all of our Nation's small 
businesses with the tools needed to survive in this current economic 
climate. Congress needs to stop worrying about the next election and 
put in place policies that will not only ignite economic growth, but 
also get our country back to work.
  While there are larger issues we must address, such as tax reform, 
there are smaller commonsense measures, such as this bill, that we can 
pass right now if given the opportunity. Measures such as this will 
make a big difference in our Nation's veterans and job creators.
  If it is any indication of how important these issues are to Nevada, 
I had a constituent, Dan Lyons, who walked from Reno, NV, to 
Washington, DC, because he didn't think Washington was doing enough for 
veterans. This was a 6-month walk from Reno, NV, to Washington, DC. He 
felt he was not getting through to his elected officials via phone or 
e-mails. So Dan, with a tent, a map, and a plan, started walking across 
America to see his elected officials face to face.
  He walked 25 miles a day, battling treacherous weather, snakes, long, 
lonely miles, and probably a few blisters just for the chance to sit 
down and ask that we do more to help struggling veterans. I was proud 
to meet with Dan, and he is a reminder of what is right with society. 
He reminds us that we must honor our obligation to our veterans. When 
they have sacrificed so much to preserve and protect our freedoms, we 
should at least ensure their needs are met when they and their 
surviving families fall on hard economic times.
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