[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 171 (Wednesday, December 4, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H7456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          JOBS FOR HEROES ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Bustos) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a piece of 
legislation I will be introducing that will help put our brave veterans 
back to work in good-paying jobs in the communities across our country. 
It is called the Jobs for Heroes Act--good for vets and good for the 
economy.
  It would extend and expand two tax credits for businesses that 
prioritize hiring veterans. Without congressional action, both of these 
tax credits are set to expire at the end of the month. The time to act 
is now.

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  Last month, I traveled to all corners of my district to meet with 
local veterans to listen to their priorities and to their concerns. I 
also hosted an economic summit attended by roughly 200 people whom I am 
here to serve.
  This was all about jobs and all about the economy, and this is also 
about our veterans. Making sure veterans have access to good-paying 
jobs came up everywhere I went from Pekin to Peoria, Rock Island to 
Rockford. Literally, everywhere I went.
  Legislation to help prioritize the hiring of veterans is especially 
crucial due to the high unemployment rate of young veterans. Veterans 
between the ages of 18 and 24 have an unemployment rate of more than 20 
percent. That is 5 percent higher than nonveterans of the same age. 
That is absolutely shameful.
  I hope all Members of Congress will join me in supporting my 
commonsense bill to help put veterans back to work and to making sure 
that those who have served always remain a priority--good for veterans, 
good for the economy, and good for America.

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