Trump’s Military Spouse Commission should make employment a priority

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Misty Chally is the CEO of Capitol Solutions LLC, and the executive director of the Critical Labor Coalition, a nonprofit organization representing leading employers dedicated to addressing the U.S. labor shortage.

President Donald Trump’s new executive order establishing the President’s Military Spouse Commission sends an important message that supporting military families and protecting the nation go hand in hand.

The commission is responsible for engaging directly with military spouses and developing recommendations on employment, housing, health care, education, child care, and deployment-related support. That broad mandate provides much-needed additional support for those who serve our country, and as the commission begins its work, it is crucial that employment and financial security be placed at the top of its agenda.  One way Congress can support this priority is by restoring the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and expanding it to military spouses.

Military spouses make extraordinary sacrifices alongside those who wear the uniform. Frequent relocations, long deployments, and the demands of military life can make it difficult to build a stable career. A spouse may secure a promising position, only to start over when the family receives new orders. Child care may also be difficult to find. Employers may hesitate to hire an applicant with inconsistent job experience due to numerous transitions and employment gaps that are no fault of their own.

The result is more than a workforce problem. It is a military-focused financial security problem — and ultimately a readiness and retention problem. When families struggle to maintain two incomes, that strain can influence whether experienced service members remain in uniform.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit, or WOTC, offers a practical way to help. For nearly three decades, the credit has encouraged employers to hire people from groups facing significant barriers to employment, including disabled veterans, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, second-chance workers and the long-term unemployed. In most cases, employers could receive a one-time credit of up to $2,400 for hiring and retaining an eligible worker. For hiring qualified veterans, however, employers can receive up to $9,600 through WOTC.  Unfortunately, the tax credit expired at the end of 2025.

While the credit was modest, it had a significant impact. It helped employers offset some recruiting, training and onboarding costs while encouraging businesses to consider qualified candidates who might otherwise be overlooked. For workers, it offered a foothold in the labor market, a path toward financial independence and the dignity of meaningful work.

Congress now has the opportunity to reinstate WOTC and expand it to include a tax credit for hiring military spouses.

Last year, the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act was introduced in a bipartisan manner in both the House (H.R. 6231) and Senate (S. 3265).  The bill retroactively restores WOTC, extends it for five years, indexes it to inflation, and expands eligibility to employers who hire military spouses. It also addresses retention concerns by incentivizing employers to retain eligible workers.

This bill recognizes that military spouses do not lack talent or commitment, but rather face unintentional barriers created by their family’s dedication to military service. WOTC gives employers a reason to look beyond career disruptions and recognize the resilience, adaptability and experience military spouses bring to the workplace.

It would also help employers confronting persistent labor shortages. Industries ranging from hospitality and retail to construction, manufacturing and health care need dependable workers. Military spouses represent an experienced and motivated pool of talent, yet too many remain sidelined due to fears of additional transitions.

The new commission can turn national recognition into concrete action. It should recommend that Congress restore and modernize WOTC and include military spouses as a targeted group facing significant barriers to employment.

Strong military families help our country in a multitude of ways. Passing the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act would help military spouses secure stable employment, provide families greater financial security and show that the nation values not only those who serve, but also the families who serve beside them.