Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley was confirmed Wednesday as a new member of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the 112th Congress. The Democrat from Waterloo quickly proposed legislation to make Veterans Day a holiday for all vets.
Braley says the bill is modeled after a law that already exists in Iowa. “It makes sure brave men and women who have served our nation are able to take Veterans Day off,” Braley said. Veterans Day is currently designated as a federal holiday, but private employers can choose to ignore it. Braley’s proposal would require private employers to give any employee who is a veteran a day off on Veterans Day.
“I’ll be working with members on both sides of the aisle to get cosponsors for my bill and hopefully move it through the Veterans Committee as soon as possible,” Braley said. The bill includes exceptions for small businesses, cases where public health or safety are concerned, or where the holiday would significantly disrupt operations.
Braley says the employer would decide if the day off should be a paid or unpaid holiday.