News

Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R,C-NY) issued the following statement on the passage of today’s jobs bill, H.R. 674, to help our nation’s veterans and job creators:

“I am thrilled that this legislation to help our nation’s veterans and job creators passed the House today and will be sent the president for his signature. As a Marine combat veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform. I fully believe we have a duty to fight for those who have fought for us and our nation. That is why I was proud to support the VOW Act the first time it came up for a vote and proud to vote for it again as part of this larger bill.

“Our veterans are faced with some of the highest unemployment rates – well above the 9% national average. This bill will not only address veterans unemployment by providing them with the job training and education they need to translate their skills in the field to successes in the workplace, but will also extend an expiring tax credit that will continue an incentive for our businesses to hire veterans. This bill is a win-win for our veterans and job creators, and strong step forward in revitalizing our economy and creating jobs.”

The legislation combines the Veterans Opportunity Awareness Act (H.R. 2433) which passed the House on October 12, 2011, the Hiring Heroes Act (S. 951), as well as a tax incentives for hiring veterans. It also contains a provision to repeal a burdensome 3% withholding on certain payments made to contractors doing business with federal, state, and local governments; it passed the House on October 27, 2011. The entire combined package passed the passed the Senate on November 10, 2011.