WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently introduced the bipartisan Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Act of 2023. This legislation would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a training program to help military spouses start, develop, and operate their own small businesses.
According to a 2022 U.S. Chamber of Commerce report, military spouses face an unemployment rate of 22%, making them one of the highest unemployed demographics in the nation.
“I have always been a strong advocate for increasing employment opportunities for military spouses who serve our country by supporting their husband or wife, including those who hope to start their own small business,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to co-introduce this legislation to create a training program to expand career opportunities wherever military families are stationed.”
The bill has received the support of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE), the Center for American Entrepreneurship, Instant Teams, VetsinTech, and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council.
“Entrepreneurship is the driving force of economic growth and job creation in America, and also a gateway to economic opportunity and financial security for military spouses,” said John Dearie, president of the Center for American Entrepreneurship. “And yet military spouse entrepreneurs face unique barriers and challenges that can lead to frustration and resentment which, ultimately, can undermine military retention and readiness. The Enhancing Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Act provides access to support and resources that military spouse entrepreneurs need and deserve. CAE thanks Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) for their leadership on behalf of military spouse entrepreneurs and looks forward to working with their Senate and House colleagues to see the bill swiftly enacted into law.”
“Military spouses make a unique contribution to the nation and entrepreneurship is a powerful pathway to their economic and personal empowerment,” said Monika Jefferson, founder and chief executive officer of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE)™. “The Enhancing Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Act will dramatically improve the lives of military spouse entrepreneurs, improve the economic security of military families, and, therefore, contribute importantly to enhancing America’s military readiness. On behalf of military spouses serving around the world, we thank Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) for their leadership and support.”
“We applaud the leadership of Senator Klobuchar and Senator Tillis for acting to provide critically needed resources to military spouses to better enable them to start companies and become entrepreneurs,” said Erica McMannes, co-founder of Instant Teams. “As trailblazers and industry leaders in connecting military spouses with opportunity we know first hand about the many challenges confronting military spouses who wish to start businesses and begin careers— this legislation will provide real support to our military families and in so doing will not only strengthen our military but also our national economy.”
###
