Gabbard, Cook Introduce HIRE Vets Act of 2015

HIRE Vets Act of 2015, H.R. 3286, was introduced by Hawai’i Representative Tulsi Gabbard and California Representative Paul Cook on Wednesday.

The bill would promote private sector recruiting, hiring, and retaining of men and women who have served honorably in the U.S. military through a voluntary and efficient program.

According to a release from Representative Gabbard, the bill would create an awards program that would “recognize the meaningful, verifiable efforts undertaken by employers – both large and small – to hire and retain veterans.

Representatives Gabbard and Cook have designed the program in a way that it would be self-funded.

Through the HIRE Vets Act, businesses would have the ability to display “HIRE Vets Medallions” on products and marketing materials. Bronze, silver, gold, and platinum medallions would be awarded and would be associated with specific hiring and retention goals every year.

Under the program, similar tiered awards for small and mid-sized businesses with less than 500 employees would be handed out.

Oversight for the program would be provided through the Secretary of Labor, who would provide annual reports to Congress on the success of the program.

“Through their service, veterans develop unique skills, experience, and leadership that make them especially valuable to employers. There are many obstacles veterans face as they transition from military to civilian life, but finding a job should not be one of them,” Representative Gabbard said. “Our legislation will both incentivize employers to hire veterans, and recognize employers that provide a supportive work environment to retain veteran employees.”

Representative Gabbard was deployed twice in a combat role. She is also a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. Currently, Representative Gabbard continues to serve as a Military Police Captain in the Hawai’i Army National Guard.