releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4EB52213-A1B2-4DD1-965F-7A6E22FF3BEF
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4EB52213-A1B2-4DD1-965F-7A6E22FF3BEF | Heitkamp Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Encourage More Employers to Hire Student Veterans | 2018-10-15 | 2018 | 2018-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | Bill Builds on Heitkamp's Work to Increase Education & Career Opportunities for Student Veterans following their Service WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced that she introduced bipartisan legislation that would allow more student veterans in North Dakota and across the country to take advantage of paid internships and part-time work while furthering their educations after their military service. Many student veterans have difficulty finding educational opportunities, internships, and employment that correspond to skills they've gained while serving in the military. According to a 2016 survey, 62.5 percent of student veterans found that their current field of study was not similar to their specialization in the military. And another report found that more than 43 percent of veterans leave their first post-separation job in less than one year. To increase student veterans' exposure to suitable careers, Heitkamp's bipartisan Hire Student Veterans Act would incentivize employers to hire student veterans by expanding a key tax credit. Her legislation would reduce the work hour requirement for businesses hiring student veterans, so that more veterans can be hired on a paid part-time or internship basis while pursuing their education. Once a veteran takes off the uniform, they deserve the benefits they've earned through their selfless service and that includes making sure they have the skills and education they need to succeed in new careers, said Heitkamp. Internships and part-time work help student veterans determine which line of work is the right fit for their civilian career path. My bipartisan bill would incentivize businesses to hire North Dakota veterans, including for part-time work opportunities, allowing these dedicated men and women to take advantage of valuable work experience and help support businesses across our state and the country. This bill builds on my work to help veterans get internships at federal agencies at the end of their military service, so they can be set up for success when they move back into the civilian workforce. Our servicemembers and veterans put their lives on the line to protect us, and we can help make sure they are connected with good-paying jobs when they finish their service so they can take care of their families, save for their retirement, and keep our communities strong and safe long into the future. I deployed to Iraq for a year in 2006.When we returned, many of my fellow Soldiers ended up making career changes. It can be very challenging to transition from full time military service back into civilian life while trying to juggle a career, family obligations, and pursuing an education, said Amanda Engen, private business owner and North Dakota Army National Guard member.Because many servicemembers are older-than-average students and often have family obligations, they can't always take advantage of internship opportunities like other students can. They can't afford to go unpaid, despite the long-term benefits.As such, many servicemembers end up being at a competitive disadvantage.Internships, that provide valuable experience and often lead to employment, are not an option for many veterans.Under Senator Heitkamp's bill, more veterans would have the ability to pursue important opportunities outside of the classroom while also gaining the potential for long-term employment in a profession. As a small business owner who knows what it's like to be a student veteran, I'd like to thank Senator Heitkamp for introducing this common sense bill and for encouraging more employers to seriously consider veterans when making new hiring decisions. Specifically, Heitkamp's bill would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers, so they are able to use it for the part time work of veterans who are using their education benefits they earned through the Post-911/GI Bill. The legislation would also reduce the WOTC 400-hour work requirement to 120 hours if a newly-hired employee is using their G.I. Bill benefits. Heitkamp introduced the bill with U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The Hire Student Veterans Act is endorsed by the Student Veterans of America and Service-to-School. Click here for a summary of the bill. In December 2017, the President signed into law legislation Heitkamp introduced to allow servicemembers to participate in an internship at a federal agency during their final 180 days of service, giving them additional skills to help them succeed in the workforce. Background Heitkamp has long fought to guarantee North Dakota veterans have access to good, well-paid jobs when they leave the armed forces. In July 2017,President Trump signed Heitkamp's bipartisan bill into lawto make sure veterans are prioritized in hiring and training at local and state career law enforcement offices. The new law requires law enforcement agencies receiving federal funds through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to do everything they can to connect veterans with roles in local and state law enforcement agencies as they transition back to civilian life. And in August 2014, Heitkampintroduced her bipartisanConnect with Veterans Actto better connect new veterans with services, resources, and benefits available in their home communities. The bill would create a directory of contact information for newly-separated veterans to allow local communities, as well as the VA and State Departments of Veterans Affairs, to better connect with veterans and provide them with information about services and other resources. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |