Rep. Delgado Works With Military Spouse Advocates, Builds Momentum for His Bipartisan Military Spouse Hiring Act

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) shared a video interview with Founder and President of the National Military Spouse Network Sue Hoppin discussing the importance of supporting and hiring military spouses. Rep. Delgado has consistently advocated for military spouses and in 2021 reintroduced the Military Spouse Hiring Act, a bipartisan bill that incentivizes employers to hire spouses of members of the United States Armed Forces. Delgado addressed the National Military Spouse Network (NMSN)'s fourth annual launch of the National Military Spouse Network White Paper report. This report includes recommendations for addressing the barriers military spouses face in gaining employment and satisfying careers.

"It was my pleasure to speak with the President of the National Military Spouse Network Sue Hoppin and be a part of the fourth annual launch event of their White Paper report," said Rep. Delgado. "Given that unemployment rates for military spouses far exceed the national average, we need legislation like my Military Spouse Hiring Act, which addresses this problem head on and incentivizes businesses to hire military spouses. This bill has an incredibly diverse group of more than 75 cosponsors -- folks from all over the country and all across the political spectrum, which speaks to the power of this issue. I want to thank Sue and everyone at the National Military Spouse Network for their commitment to this cause, I will keep working to get it done."

"Thanks to Congressman Delgado for his continued support of military spouses and families and for participating in our 2022 White Paper event launch: "The Military Spouse Employment Dilemma,'" said Founder and President of the National Military Spouse Network Sue Hoppin. "He offered a valuable perspective on how our members can effectively engage with Capitol Hill to drive positive change for our community and we're grateful for his participation. An original sponsor of H.R. 2974, Congressman Delgado understands the employment challenges that military spouses face every day and he's been a vocal champion of common-sense change that would incentivize employers to hire military spouses."

Click HERE to view the video interview.

Research from the Department of Defense and the Hiring Our Heroes Foundation has found that unemployment rates for military spouses far exceed that of the national average. Delgado's Military Spouse Hiring Act would help close the gap by expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include the hiring of qualified military spouses, allowing employers to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those spouses. Existing law already extends the Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit to employers that hire qualified military veterans, among other targeted groups. The bill now has 78 bipartisan cosponsors in the House.

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