Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today reported that the Senate approved a proposal that encourages the hiring of veterans.  This is the first job creation measure offered by Senate Democrats that was not blocked by Senate Republicans.

The VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 provides a tax credit of $5,600 for hiring veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months, and a $2,400 credit for veterans who have been unemployed for more than four weeks.  It also offers a tax credit of up to $9,600 for hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for work for more than six months.  Finally, the bill provides veterans with additional educational and training opportunities.

"After weeks of being blocked from voting on jobs proposals, I am gratified that we were finally able to pass a bill that will help some Americans find work," Bingaman said.  "Many veterans returning from war are finding it very difficult to find a job during this economic downturn.  This bill will encourage employers to put these men and women back to work."

The VOW to Hire Heroes Act was attached to a larger bill that repeals a law requiring state and federal governments to hold back three percent of payments made to contractors providing property or services to the government.  That bill passed the Senate 95-0.