The Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act

Introduced by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Boozman (R-AR), and Jon Tester (D-MT)

The Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act of 2018 offers solutions to address military spouse
unemployment and access to childcare, building on measures in the Military Spouse Employment Act of
2018. The new legislation, introduced by Senators Kaine, Boozman, and Tester would change the tax
code to better support military families and make it easier for families to afford childcare. Somewhere
between 12% and 25% of military spouses are unemployed — with an additional 25% facing
underemployment (meaning they are underpaid or have skills that are underutilized compared to their
training) — causing negative ripple effects across the military. Military families frequently face financial
insecurity due to spousal unemployment, which is an often overlooked military readiness issue, and
obstacles to accessing quality, affordable childcare exacerbate these challenges.

Specific provisions of the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act:

 Work Opportunity Tax Credit

o Expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to incentivize businesses to hire
military spouses, similar to veterans and other populations that face employment
obstacles.
 Dependent Care Savings Accounts
o Makes flexible spending accounts available to military families so they can opt in to
reserve pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket childcare
expenses.

The Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act builds on the Military Spouse Employment Act
introduced by Senators Kaine, David Perdue (R-GA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Patty Murray (D-
WI) on February 6. The Military Spouse Employment Act takes steps to reduce military spouse
unemployment and examine the effects frequent moves and reassignments have on military spouses’
careers.

Specific provisions of The Military Spouse Employment Act:

 Employment Opportunities
o Boosts military spouses’ competitiveness in the job market.
o Supports military spouse entrepreneurship.
 Continuing Education and Training
o Instructs the Department of Defense to expand educational opportunities for military
spouses.
 Childcare
o Makes it easier for military families to find affordable child care by ensuring that the
Department of Defense is providing adequate access to care.
 Counseling and Transition Assistance
o Provides military spouses with training and resources to ease their families’ transitions to
civilian life.