In the weekly Republican address, Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) gave a stirring and poignant tribute to the brave men and women who serve in the United States armed services. He was proud, he said, that in keeping with the spirit of Veterans Day, members of Congress have now moved forward legislation that will help military personnel -- upon returning home -- transition into civilian life and support their families with high paying jobs. The Hill reports:
A bill that would boost unemployment services for veterans and eliminate a widely hated tax rule has passed the Senate and is expected to move through the House next week in a rare example of bipartisanship.The bill started as a measure to repeal the current (but unimplemented) requirement that federal and state governments withhold 3 percent of all payments to government contractors, an idea aimed at ensuring proper tax collections that has since been discredited as a burden to both government and the private sector.
When the bill reached the Senate, an agreement was struck to add a new section to the bill that expands federal government help for veterans looking for work, the so-called "Vow to Hire Heroes" provision.
“Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act, which would provide training and assistance to unemployed veterans, and break down bureaucratic barriers preventing them from finding work," Heck said. "It’s smart legislation that members of both parties support, and I’m pleased the Senate passed it."