Cassidy Delivers Floor Speech Urging Congress to Reauthorize the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor to urge Congress to reauthorize and expand the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Act. Cassidy emphasized the importance of access to stable employment to help military spouses, those returning to society after incarceration, pregnant mothers, and others struggling to find a job.

"Instead of making service a barrier to employment, WOTC rewards it by providing the military spouse the opportunity to build a stable and rewarding career. And in our country, that's how we should treat those who have served our country in the military," said Dr. Cassidy.

"One of the most meaningful ways to strengthen a person's future, to support their family, and uplift their community, is by taking the skills that you know you have, and finding a job in which you can meaningfully use those skills," said Dr. Cassidy.

Cassidy's remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

Mr. President,

When I go back to Louisiana, I meet with folks around the state.

Veterans in Jefferson Parish, some of whom have just gotten out of the service and are struggling to find a job.

Local business owners in Houma.

Nurses at hospitals in Baton Rouge.

What do they have in common?

They all can benefit from the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, or WOTC for short.

WOTC is a bill that makes it easier to get a job if you are someone who, for one reason or another, has difficulty doing so.

As an example, if you are the spouse of someone in the military, companies often won't hire you because of the likelihood of having to relocate.

But WOTC gives employers a federal tax credit when they hire military spouses, benefitting the employee and the employer.

Mr. President, when one member of the family is serving our country, the whole family serves.

Instead of making service a barrier to employment, WOTC rewards it by providing military spouses the opportunity to build a stable, rewarding career.

In the United States of America, that's exactly how we ought to treat those serving our country.

There are others whose circumstances prevent them from getting a good job.

Pregnant and working mothers.

Lower-income families.

WOTC incentivizes companies to hire them all.

I believe that one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen your future, support your family, and uplift your community is by applying your skills in a profession that's right for you.

That's why, in the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, if you're receiving SNAP benefits, and you are able-bodied, and you can work, then you should.

WOTC helps those who have been out of work rejoin the workforce and supports businesses along the way.

So, when someone gets a good job, they receive more than an income.

They find stability. They become independent. They have another tool with which to achieve their American Dream.

That's why we must reauthorize WOTC, which expired last December.

People in Louisiana and across the country support this bill and have contacted my office requesting that Congress reinstate it as soon as possible.

So that the military spouse or service member newly out, the working mom, the low-income family, all have the opportunity to work hard, contribute to society, and succeed despite the challenges they face.

That is what being an American is all about.

I wake up every morning, and I think about how to make life better in Louisiana and in the United States of America.

The Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act creates jobs, expands opportunity, and makes life better.

As we approach a new reconciliation bill, work on funding the government, and other legislative vehicles, we should consider including WOTC and extending it to military spouses.

Let's get it done as soon as possible.

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