WASHINGTON - Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) issued the following statement today commemorating Veterans Day and lauding passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act in the U.S. Senate:
"The first piece of legislation I succeeded in passing in the Senate, was an amendment to the Recovery Act to expand tax incentives for employers who hire recently returned veterans. We have a duty to help veterans to get a good job when they come home, and this policy helped in that effort, but it expired in 2010.
"Today the Senate renewed its commitment to veterans by passing the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. This bipartisan bill will help vets transition their specialized skills to civilian jobs and renews tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed veterans and in particular, wounded warriors. Now, the House should quickly act to pass it so it can become the law of the land.
"This vote is a fitting tribute to veterans but we have much more to do. America's commitment to our veterans must be as strong as their commitment to defending our freedom. As U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan comes to a close, our commitment to generations of veterans must only grow stronger. We have a responsibility to remember their sacrifices, not just on Veterans Day, but everyday."
