Bipartisan amendment will direct the Small Business Administration to develop a program to help military spouses start and develop their own businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Entrepreneurship Caucus, and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support military spouse entrepreneurship. The bipartisan amendment would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a training program to help military spouses start, operate and develop their own small businesses. According to a 2021 report by Blue Star Families, 42 percent of military spouses are not in the labor force currently but seek employment.
“Given the tremendous sacrifices military spouses make to support our troops, it’s critical that they receive the economic support and stability they deserve,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan amendment would provide just that, ensuring military spouses have the tools and training they need to establish their own small businesses and become entrepreneurs. ”
“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 Tillis. “I am proud to work with Senator Klobuchar to introduce this legislation to create a training program to expand career opportunities wherever military families are stationed.”
The amendment has received the support of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE), the Center for American Entrepreneurship, and Instant Teams.
“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.”
“Entrepreneurship is the driving force of economic growth and job creation in America, and also a gateway to greater 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 have gone unaddressed for far too long. This amendment provides access to badly needed resources and support 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.”
“We strongly support this amendment that will 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. “We are very grateful to both Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Tillis (R-NC) for their commitment to military families and for their efforts to connect military spouses with opportunity – an ongoing effort which will not only strengthen our military but also our national economy.”
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