Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Introduces Bill to Promote Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

Statement

As National Veterans Small Business Week comes to a close today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) was joined by Reps. Ross Spano (FL-15) and Al Lawson (FL-05) in introducing H.R.4991, the Post-9/11 Veteran Business Acceleration Act, to support veteran-owned small businesses. The bipartisan bill would allow veterans who are eligible for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program to participate in a pilot program that would allow them to use this benefit to establish and operate a business.

"My brothers and sisters in uniform and their families perform an incredible service to our nation and sacrifice greatly. When they make the transition from uniform to civilian life, our nation will benefit greatly from them having a greater range of opportunities," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. "This bipartisan bill will allow veterans to explore new possibilities with their earned benefits and build businesses that will serve themselves, their families, and benefit the communities in which they live."

"I appreciate Representative Gabbard's leadership to expand opportunities for Veterans. Veteran-owned small businesses employ more than 5 million people and generate over $1 trillion in sales annually. But, one of the biggest challenges for any small business is having the capital needed to get up and running. I believe giving Veterans the choice to use their GI bill to start a business will help even more Veterans thrive after they leave the service," said Rep. Ross Spano.

"Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard herself, a decorated National Guard soldier, knows that many members of the Guard and Reserve already have college degrees or prefer a non-traditional, occupation-focused education. Enhancing the G.I. Bill with the Post 9/11 Veteran Business Acceleration Act to help veterans start businesses makes sense and fits the intent of the GI Bill, which is to equip veterans to succeed in the civilian sector and in turn enrich their communities," said retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips, executive director, Reserve Organization of America (ROA).

Background: H.R.4991, the Post-9/11 Veteran Business Acceleration Act is supported by The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), Reserve Officer Association (ROA), and the Jewish War Veterans of the USA.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been a leader in Congress on supporting our veterans, prioritizing veteran education and job opportunities. She led legislation that expanded student loan and student loan forgiveness programs for veterans, supported apprenticeship opportunities and expanded benefits to support apprenticeship programs, promoting private sector recruitment/hiring/retention of veterans, expand/extend the GI Bill, and provide tax credits for veteran-owned small businesses.

Source