[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 151 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. HAGAN:
  S. 1591. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow 
the work opportunity credit to small businesses which hire individuals 
who are members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Ms. HAGAN. Mr. President, I rise today to highlight the importance of 
veteran unemployment and to announce the reintroduction of the ``Hire-
a-Hero Act''--a bill, which I introduced with Senator Scott Brown of 
Massachusetts at the start of the last Congress, to make permanent the 
Work Opportunity Tax Credit, WOTC, for qualified veterans and members 
of the Ready Reserve and the National Guard.
  The issue of veteran unemployment is more important today, than it 
has ever been.
  Though the overall unemployment rate stands at 7.2 percent, the 
jobless rate among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is 10.1 
percent, nearly 3 percentage points higher than the national average. 
Overall, 708,000 veterans are without a job.
  This issue is even more important in North Carolina, because of its 
large active duty and veteran population. More than \1/3\ of our 
population is either in the military, is a veteran, or has an immediate 
family member who is in the military or a veteran. In addition, North 
Carolina has 3 percent of the U.S. population, but 5 percent of the 
unemployed veterans.
  Employers know that hiring a veteran is not only the right thing to 
do, but it also makes good business sense. These men and women are 
highly motivated, highly-trained, and have succeeded in the most trying 
circumstances imaginable.
  I know the value of hiring veterans myself. I have three veterans and 
a member of the National Guard currently on my staff who bring unique 
perspectives to their roles that they acquired during their time in 
uniform. And it allows them to provide the best possible service to the 
people of North Carolina.
  Unfortunately, the expiration of the WOTC for veterans at the end of 
this year could make it more difficult for employers to hire veterans.
  The WOTC has been in place for many years. The credit for veterans 
has been subject to periodic short-term extensions. Recognizing the 
serious unemployment challenges facing veterans in North Carolina and 
the need for incentives to hire veterans, I introduced the ``Hire-a-
Hero Act of 2011'' in February of 2011 to make this important tax 
credit permanent.
  While that bill, did not become law, Congress was able to enact the 
Vow to Hire Heros Act of 2011 on November 21, 2011. This legislation 
expanded the WOTC for returning heroes and wounded warriors, by 
allowing larger tax credits for certain groups and extended the credit 
through 2012. Recognizing that this credit was set to expire, on 
January 2, 2013, Congress extended the credit to December 31, 2013, as 
a part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
  This crucial tax credit is set to expire again in just two months. 
That is why I am re-introducing the Hire-a-Hero Act with the support of 
the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military 
Officers Association of America, the National Guard Association of the 
United States and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. This 
bill would finally, make the WOTC permanent for veterans and members of 
the Ready Reserve and National Guard.
  I urge my colleagues to consider cosponsoring this important 
legislation that will help address the unemployment issue among 
veterans in this country.
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