WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Ashley Moody announced she is cosponsoring the bipartisan Military Spouse Hiring Act to address difficulties servicemembers’ families face when looking for work. The legislation would help address the high unemployment rate by creating incentives for businesses to hire military spouses and adding a target group under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program. According to the Department of Defense, the military spouse unemployment rate is 21%, much higher than the national average.
Senator Ashley Moody said, “Military spouses play an integral role in supporting our servicemembers who receive relocation orders every few years in defense of our national security. Now, it is time we have these spouses’ backs in return. This legislation incentivizes employers to hire qualified individuals and will help provide financial stability and increase the retention of our brave warriors. I’m proud to fight on behalf of our military families and cosponsor the Military Spouse Hiring Act.”
Military spouses face unique challenges when job searching due to frequent relocations and limited employment opportunities near remote installations. The high unemployment rate of spouses not only affects military families’ financial stability but also impacts servicemember retention.
The Military Spouse Hiring Act helps employers offset the cost of onboarding a new employee by providing a tax credit for hiring military spouses, helping employers fill vacant positions with qualified military spouses and providing a boost to the local economy.
The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). It is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hoeven (R-ND), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Tom Cotton (R-AR).
Full text of the legislation is available here.
Senator Moody is committed to fighting for U.S. military members and veterans. Since becoming Florida’s newest Senator, Moody has:
- Co-sponsored the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to fix unjust disability policies for retired combat veterans;
- Introduced Drone Espionage Act to crack down on spying through video surveillance of military installations;
- Supported the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, which would expand educational benefits for veterans;
- Supported the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025, which would help ensure that only the most dedicated individuals can serve veterans;
- Held a town hall with VA Secretary Collins in Tampa to discuss issues facing veterans
- Requested President Trump to send F-35As to Homestead Air Reserve Base;
- Recognized 200 years of U.S. Navy presence in Pensacola and discussed the critical importance of the Navy and Coast Guard’s presence in the Florida Panhandle; and more.
When Senator Moody served as Florida’s Attorney General, she formed the Florida Military and Veterans Assistance Program to assist service members and their families who have been affected by scams. From 2019 and January 2025, when Senator Moody left the Attorney General’s office, MVAP recovered more than $3.7 million from over 2,300 complaints for affected military members and their families.
###