New Mexico has a great tradition of military service, and one of my most important duties is working to ensure that when our troops return home, they get the services they have earned and make a smooth transition back to civilian life. For example, I'm committed to doing everything I can to help our veterans find good jobs or go back to school.
Join me and share these resources for job-seeking veterans and potential employers.
Veterans are sometimes overlooked for jobs because some may lack civilian experience, but the discipline and leadership skills they learn in the military make them valuable employees. That's why last month, I introduced a bill to encourage employers to hire unemployed and disabled veterans. The VOW to Hire Heroes Extension Act would renew a successful program I helped to start when I was elected to the Senate in 2009, as thousands of veterans were returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan and struggling to find jobs amid the economic downtown.
The bill will renew the incentives that encourage businesses to take advantage of skills many veterans bring to the table, while ensuring those who fight for our country don't have to fight for a job when they get home. This bill is good for New Mexico's veterans, for our businesses and for our economy.
I've long been a champion of initiatives to hire veterans. The first legislation I successfully passed in the U.S. Senate was an amendment that expanded similar tax incentives for employers who hired recently returned veterans. Those incentives expired last year, and now Congress must act to restore the program by passing the VOW to Hire Heroes Act.
Our veterans are ready to contribute to workplaces throughout the nation. Acting on the VOW to Hire Heroes Act will help show our country's continued commitment to our veterans and their families.
