CONTACT:  Kate Constalie, [email protected], 608-266-5490

MADISON, WI – 75 years ago, November 11th was designated as a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of peace. Today, Americans recognize this important date as Veterans Day and honor the service of all U.S. military veterans who answered the call to serve and defend our nation.

Democrats introduced Senate Bill 117 (SB 117) to ensure all veterans, regardless of whether they are a public or private employee, would be granted a paid day off on Veterans Day. Rather than simply closing government offices, Democratic efforts to guarantee that veterans would benefit from the holiday have been blocked by Senate Republicans.

“The men and women who answered the call to serve should be the ones we’re honoring on Veterans Day,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “The overwhelming majority of veterans work on Veterans Day and many aren’t able to participate in community events. We need to stop and ask ourselves who Veterans Day is meant to honor. Democrats want to recognize the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform by making sure veterans are the focus of Veterans Day.”

Over the past six years, Wisconsin Republicans eliminated pay discrimination protections for veterans, blocked justice for veterans injured by exposure to asbestos and raided millions from the King Veteran Home to backfill budget deficits.

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