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Donnelly sponsoring National Guard job preference bill

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Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) says new legislation he’s sponsoring will help National Guard members who haven’t served oversees get a boost when applying for federal jobs. 

Those who have not served overseas currently receive no preference when applying for federal jobs.  Donnelly's bill, which has a Republican cosponsor, would create a new tiered system for federal hiring. 

Donnelly says he wants to help the thousands of veterans who aren’t recognized by the current preference system.

“Approximately 159,000 National Guard soldiers – or 44% of the total force – have not deployed.  And 73,000 Air National Guard airmen – 70% – have not deployed, meaning gone overseas and served overseas.”

Donnelly’s bill creates a points system – the longer a National Guard member has served, the more points they get towards preferred hiring for federal jobs.

"Members of the reserve components are uniquely qualified to handle some of the tough jobs, such as TSA agents or border guards," he says. "The skill set blends perfectly with what we’re trying to accomplish here."

Only Guard members who have served at least 20 years receive the same high preference level as veterans who were deployed overseas.

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