Now wrapping up the first month of his second term in Congress, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., has brought back a bill to help veterans start up small businesses.
Earlier this month, Lawson reintroduced the “Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act” which, his office insists, will “give a boost to veterans who invest in their communities through entrepreneurship.” In his bill, Lawson, who serves on the U.S. House Small Business Committee and is a member of the Military-Veterans Caucus, is calling for giving businesses in underserved communities launched by veterans a small business start-up tax credit.
“Creating opportunity for returning veterans is a top priority for me,” Lawson said on Tuesday. “These men and women bring back real-world leadership and technical skills that will strengthen our economy. The Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act will help eligible veterans, their spouses, Army Reserve and National Guard members invest and revitalize their communities through entrepreneurship, all while boosting our local economies.”
Lawson’s legislation has the support of a number of veterans groups including Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, and AMVETS.
“Veteran-owned small businesses create jobs and stimulate the economy. According to the Census Bureau, veterans own 2.5 million businesses, representing about 9.1. percent of all U.S. businesses in the United States, with more than $1 trillion in revenue and 5 million employees,” Lawson’s office noted.
Lawson has reeled in almost 30 cosponsors including Florida Democrat U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Alcee Hastings, Darren Soto, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson
The bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee earlier this month.
Lawson first brought out the bill in 2017 but the legislation did not gain much traction and did not clear the Ways and Means Committee though things could be different this time out with Democrats in charge of the House. So far, there is no companion bill over in the Senate.
