Bill would save troops' jobs until they come back

With unemployment high among troops, members of the armed forces could get more job protection under a proposal introduced by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and a pair of co-sponsors.

The bill, H.R. 3670, would guarantee that employees in both the public and private sector who are called to active duty could keep their jobs for when they come home. The proposal would require the Transportation Security Administration to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

"When our National Guard and reservists are called to duty, it is our duty to ensure that they have the peace of mind of knowing that their jobs are secure when they return," Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, said in a news release. Bilirakis serves as vice chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

"This legislation is a necessary step in supporting those who sign on to protect our nation and ensure our freedoms," Bilirakis said.

Two Democratic House members, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Bill Owens of New York, co-sponsor the proposal.

"The unemployment rate among our service members is already far too high," Walz said in the release. Walz is a 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard. "Protecting the jobs they already have should be a top priority," he said.

"The TSA employs thousands of veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard who should not have to worry about losing their jobs when called to active duty. They have earned and deserve this simple protection."

"A critical part of the obligation we have to support the troops includes ensuring a stable economic condition when they return from military service," Owens said.

The Military Officers Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and others support the measure.

Raymond Kelley, legislative director of VFW, said: "The VFW was adamant about working towards this legislative fix after helping to discover this loophole. This fix will not only give our service members working at TSA the re-employment rights they have earned but also ensure TSA has unfettered access to the best and brightest our military has to offer."