{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D488B7E4-E727-48E0-BB33-77DD6A2B9E63", "Updated Workforce Tax Credit Bill Includes Boozman Priority", "2025-12-01", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) to introduce an updated version of the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Act to further assist military spouses in securing employment.\n\nThe WOTC provides a federal tax credit to employers who invest in American workers known to consistently face barriers to employment, including eligible veterans, SNAP recipients, individuals with disabilities and long-term unemployed individuals. The bill would extend the tax credit for another five years, indexed to inflation, with the updated provision that incorporates Boozman\u2019s bipartisan Military Spouse Hiring Act to incentivize hiring of servicemembers\u2019 spouses.\n\nSenators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Peter Welch (D-VT) joined Boozman and Cassidy in introducing the updated legislation.\n\n\u201cSome of the most productive and reliable workers happen to be married to members of the military, but they often struggle with employment because of frequent relocation,\u201d said Boozman. \u201cI am pleased to join the bipartisan effort to update the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and extend eligibility to include military spouses. Doing so will only strengthen this initiative, support families serving our country and benefit our economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cVeterans and military spouses deserve every opportunity to build stable, rewarding careers,\u201d said Cassidy. \u201cBy reducing the burden on employers who hire them and other individuals who have fallen through the cracks, we strengthen our economy and give people the chance they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor hardworking Americans who\u2019ve faced real obstacles entering the workforce and pursuing their American Dream, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit has long been a vital lifeline,\u201d said Marshall. \u201cBy extending and modernizing WOTC \u2013 and adding military spouses alongside the long-term unemployed, those transitioning off assistance, and our veterans \u2013 we\u2019re giving more people a fair chance at meaningful work and the independence that comes with it.\u201d\n\n\u201cExpanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit offers support to employers in Kansas and across the country to fill critical workforce needs while providing opportunities for more Americans to find steady, meaningful jobs,\u201d said Moran. \u201cThis commonsense legislation will provide those who face barriers to employment, including veterans, military spouses and individuals with disabilities, the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families while working in their local communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur veterans and military families have always stepped up for our country and we absolutely owe it to them to ensure they have the opportunity to succeed when they return home. Updating and extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) helps our businesses and hard-working Americans. It\u2019s common sense, pro-worker, and it strengthens our communities in West Virginia and across our nation,\u201d said Justice.\n\nThe measure has gained support from multiple organizations. Here\u2019s what they are saying about the bill.\n\n\u201cFor more than two decades, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit has been one of the federal government\u2019s most effective tools for improving veteran employment outcomes,\u201d said President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America Lt. General Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret.). \u201cBy strengthening WOTC, extending it through 2030, and finally adding military spouses as a new target group, this legislation aligns federal hiring incentives with the lived realities of today\u2019s military families. These reforms will open doors, strengthen economic opportunity, and support the financial stability and readiness of the all-volunteer force.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) supports those facing barriers to entry into the job market and encourages employers to hire those who may need an extra hand to pull them into the workforce,\u201d said Critical Labor Coalition Executive Director Misty Chally. \u201cThis bill also adds a very important community \u2013 military spouses \u2013 as eligible workers. By supporting those who serve this country, military spouses make significant contributions to this country and our economy.\u201d\n\nThe Improve and Enhance the WOTC Act would:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D488B7E4-E727-48E0-BB33-77DD6A2B9E63"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5400501433759928, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}