RECRUIT Act: Congressional Future Caucus Members Work to Support Small Businesses and Reserve Members

HR1854, the Reserve Employers Comprehensive Relief and Uniform Incentives on Taxes Act, the RECRUIT Act, introduced by Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13) and co-sponsored by Congressional Future Caucus co-chair Rep. Blake Moore (UT-1) and CFC members Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-6) would provide a specialized tax credit for small businesses and incentivize hiring of reserve component service members. 

The bill, which is active and has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, seeks to address the cost borne by the employer due to the increased absence of individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserve forces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 90,000 individuals were mobilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or civil disturbance operations. The Army Reserve mobilized over 3,000 personnel to support pandemic relief efforts and the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps Reserve contributed over 10,700 personnel since the beginning of the global pandemic. 

The RECRUIT Act would support small businesses by providing a scalable benefit for employers who experience extended absences of Reserve component employees. The bill currently has six Republican and six Democratic co-sponsors.