Senator Murray Champions New Legislation to Better Support Military Spouses Seeking Employment
Press Release
U.S. Senator Patty Murray has cosponsored new legislation to help reduce military spouse unemployment and examine the effects of frequent moves and reassignments on military spouses' careers. Led by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), the Military Spouse Employment Act of 2018 expands hiring and career opportunities, improves access to continuing education programs, helps ensure military families can find affordable child care, and provides better transition and employment resources for military spouses. Military families frequently face financial insecurity due to spousal unemployment or underemployment, which impacts the overall readiness of our military. Somewhere between 12 and 25 percent of military spouses are unemployed.
"Military families make incredible sacrifices on behalf of our nation, so anything we can do to support them should be one of the easiest calls we make all day," Senator Murray said. "I'm proud to partner with Senator Kaine and Senator Gillibrand to bring attention to this critical issue and to start to make headway on bringing down the stubbornly high military spouse unemployment rate and ensuring military spouses have the resources to connect with employers that will benefit from their skills. This legislation is good for military families, it's good for employers, and it's good for the security of our country."
The Military Spouse Employment Act tackles four main areas:
Employment Opportunities
Boosts military spouses' competitiveness in the job market
Supports military spouse entrepreneurship
Continuing Education and Training
Instructs the Department of Defense to expand educational opportunities for military spouses
Child care
Makes it easier for military families to find affordable child care by ensuring that the Department of Defense is providing adequate access to care
Counseling and Transition Assistance
Provides military spouses with training and resources to ease their families' transitions to civilian life
This legislation is endorsed by Blue Star Families, Military Officers Association of America, National Military Families Association, the Military Family Advisory Network, and The American Legion.
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