Congressman Cleaver Votes for Jobs and Veterans

Just minutes ago the House of Representatives approved critical legislation that will help small businesses and our nation’s veterans. The House passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 674.

H.R. 674, among other things, will repeal the imposition of a 3% withholding on small businesses. That withholding would be on certain payments made to government entities.

Congressman Cleaver is a cosponsor of this bill.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” said U.S. Congressman Cleaver. “To allow this withholding to go into effect would be grossly unfair. This tax would be taking money out of the hands of the very people who are creating jobs in this economy.”

The Senate added provisions to spur the hiring of veterans included in the President’s American Jobs Act, along with provisions from the Bishop/Murray Hiring Heroes Act (H.R.1941) and the VOW Act (H.R.2433).

“We have brave men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who can’t find jobs,” said Congressman Cleaver. “They have sacrificed for us and we must do right by them."

Included in the amendment are tax credits for businesses hiring veterans, expanded education and training opportunities for veterans as well as increased benefits for disabled veterans.

The legislation has already passed the Senate and the President is expected to sign it.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.