Veterans’ Organizations Announce Support for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Bipartisan Legislation to Support Job Creation for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today welcomed support from veterans’ organizations in Wisconsin for her bipartisan legislation to support job creation for America’s veterans. Senator Baldwin introduced the Boosting Rates of American Veterans Employment Act (BRAVE Act) with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) last month. The legislation will reform the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) contracting process to give preference to businesses that actively employ veterans.

“Wisconsin’s veterans have earned every opportunity to be productive and successful after they have completed their military service and returned to civilian life,” said Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Saul Newton.  “The BRAVE Act is vital to ensuring veterans can have a career and support their families.  Wisconsin’s veteran business community applauds Senator Baldwin for her leadership and support of businesses who hire military veterans.”

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars - Department of Wisconsin supports the BRAVE ACT and believe that this bill will increase veteran employment nationwide,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars - Department of Wisconsin Commander Michael B. Eggleston.  "Providing gainful employment to our nation’s veterans is the most productive way this country can thank them for their service.  This nation will also realize the benefit of having these disciplined and innovative men and women fully integrated into its workforce.  We hope to see this bill continue to move through congress and signed into law."

“The VA spends $19 billion on procurement and contracting.  The American Legion wants to ensure that our fellow veterans are given due consideration in the awarding of federal contracts, both those employed by contractors and the many who own their own businesses,” said American Legion Department of Wisconsin’s Commander Dan Seehafer of Horicon Post No. 157.  “This bill expands veterans preference to companies who go out of their way to employ veterans, as well as punishes companies who knowingly misrepresent their percentage of veteran employees in an attempt to gain an unearned advantage.  The Wisconsin American Legion supports this bill and applauds Senator Baldwin for her efforts on behalf of our fellow veterans.”

“The Military Order of the Purple Heart-Department of Wisconsin is proud to support Senator Baldwin’s BRAVE ACT as it is an important bill that will help incentivize the hiring of our nation’s veterans,” said Military Order of the Purple Heart - Department of Wisconsin Legislative Officer Jason Johns.  “After giving so much in service to our country abroad and within, the least we can do is to help these brave men and women find gainful employment when they get back home.  I hope to see this bill continue to move through the Congress and be signed into law.”

The Boosting Rates of American Veterans Employment Act (BRAVE Act) is also supported by The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  Specifically, the BRAVE Act would allow the VA to consider the proportion of veterans employed by a prospective business when awarding federal contracts.  The VA Secretary would have the authority to give preference to businesses that employ veterans based on its percentage of full-time veteran employees. The bipartisan legislation would encourage and incentivize VA contractors to employ veterans, and hold contractors responsible by requiring temporary debarment from contracting for businesses who knowingly misrepresent their proportion of veteran employees.

A copy of the BRAVE Act (S.3154) can be found here.