Bustos-Backed Veterans Employment Tax Credits Pass House

Today, two veterans employment tax credits championed by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) in her fight to put American veterans back to work passed the House of Representatives and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration. Last month, Bustos called on House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring up an extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and the Employer Wage Credit (EWC) before the end of the year. These currently expired tax credits promote the hiring of veterans and service members by American businesses.

“The unemployment rate for our veterans remains far too high,” said Bustos. “Extending these tax credits is a common sense way to put our veterans to work now while providing businesses with talented, skilled and dedicated workers. Our nation’s veterans are far too important to wait. I am encouraged the House renewed these tax credits today, and I call on the Senate to do the same before the end of the year.” 

Last year, with input from her week-long “Standing up for our Veterans” tour across Illinois’ 17th District, Bustos introduced the Jobs for Heroes Act. This bill would extend and expand these two federal business tax credits to spur veteran employment. Both of these credits are currently expired but can be retroactively renewed through action by Congress.

Bustos’ letter from last month requesting action before the end of the year can be found HERE.

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