In the GOP's weekly address, Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) said that Congress's movement on passing a veterans' jobs bill is encouraging but there is more to do to help the struggling economy.
A bill that would boost unemployment services for veterans and eliminate a widely hated tax rule has passed the Senate and is expected to move through the House next week in a rare example of bipartisanship.
The bill started as a measure to repeal the current (but unimplemented) requirement that federal and state governments withhold 3 percent of all payments to government contractors, an idea aimed at ensuring proper tax collections that has since been discredited as a burden to both government and the private sector.
When the bill reached the Senate, an agreement was struck to add a new section to the bill that expands federal government help for veterans looking for work, the so-called "Vow to Hire Heroes" provision.
“Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act, which would provide training and assistance to unemployed veterans, and break down bureaucratic barriers preventing them from finding work," Heck said. "It’s smart legislation that members of both parties support, and I’m pleased the Senate passed it."
The Nevada Republican, who is an Army veteran, said Congress needs to do more to spur economic growth.
“The House has passed several bipartisan bills to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to secure a good job to provide for their families," Heck said. "All of these jobs bills deserve the support of our Senators and a strong show of leadership from the president. Because with unemployment still much too high, we just can’t wait to take bipartisan action that will help put Americans back to work."
Pete Kasperowicz contributed to this post.
