United States Blunt Tender

U.S. Senators Roy Blunt Mo. Rob Portman Ohio Sherrod Brown Ohio Ben Cardin Md. Bill Cassidy La. and Bob Menendez N.J. introduced bipartisan legislation the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Jobs Act to make permanent the Work Opportunity Tax Credit WOTC which encourages employers to hire individuals who face significant barriers to employment. Currently the WOTC expires on December 31 2019.The WOTC provides an employer tax credit of between 1200 and 9600 per employee for hiring and retaining individuals that are part of certain targeted groups representing populations that have a difficult time finding work or are often out of the labor force altogether. The credit amount is based on the qualified wages paid to those employees within the targeted groups. These targeted groups include veterans long-term unemployed ex-felons people with disabilities summer youth employees and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Supplemental Security Income recipients.Having a job is about more than just bringing home a paycheck - its about having pride in your work and confidence in your future said Blunt. Making the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent will help get more Americans who have difficulty finding employment off the sidelines and into the workforce.Our economy is creating jobs and increasing wages and thats good news but we have much more work ahead to help those individuals who are in the shadows and struggling to find meaningful employment said Portman. Encouraging employers to hire those who have the most trouble finding work is good policy and thats why we should make the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent.Hard work doesnt pay off like it used to with too many workers trying but struggling to get ahead said Brown. People can and want to contribute to their communities and they deserve a fair shot. The WOTC provides that opportunity and awards companies for investing in their greatest asset the American worker.The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is one of our best tools to promote the employment of those who find it hardest to get a job said Cardin. But to be effective employers need the certainty a permanent extension provides and tens of thousands of families in Maryland need to know we have their back from now on. Thats why we need to invest in this effective program permanently to ensure those who need the most help are getting it.We have record low unemployment thanks to our pro-jobs policies said Cassidy. Making the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent is good for American businesses and those still struggling to find work.We have both a moral obligation and an economic interest in helping those whove been out of the workforce find a steady job so that they can support their families and contribute to our society said Menendez. Making the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent will be a powerful incentive for employers to hire and retain veterans the long-term unemployed and other qualifying individuals who deserve a fair shot in our economy.