Rep. John Garamendi's Bill would force rehiring of more reservists

Bill would force rehiring of more reservists
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 2, 2012

A California lawmaker wants to block most U.S. companies from using the excuse of poor economic times for not rehiring National Guard and reserve members who try to return to work following a mobilization.

The Veterans Reemployment Act of 2012, introduced Wednesday by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., would allow only small businesses to use a loophole in law that permits a company to not rehire a veteran because of economic hardship.

Garamendi said current law is failing service members.

Endorsed by the American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans’ organization, the bill “rights a terrible wrong,” said Garamendi, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Because of a loophole in existing law, when National Guard and reserve members return from the front lines, too often they come home to see their job taken away from them.”

The bill, HR 3860, was referred for consideration to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the panel responsible for the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act that includes the rehiring rules. That committee also is taking a close look at the high unemployment rate facing returning National Guard and reserve members.
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