Since the founding of our nation, America’s service members have dedicated their lives to protecting us and the values we hold dear. And throughout their service, their families and loved ones are with them every step of the way -- no matter how many miles separate them -- to provide critical support.

          Just as we have a responsibility to honor our commitments to active duty service members, reservists, and veterans, we must support the military families that make sacrifices of their own. Unfortunately, we have a lot of work ahead of us to fully deliver on that promise.

          Today, tens of thousands of military spouses whose partners have made the ultimate sacrifice in our armed forces are left without the full benefits they deserve, because of what’s known as the Widow’s Tax. Under current law, benefits from the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program are cancelled out by payments from the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), meaning survivors of those who died in service to our nation or from service-connected causes are denied more than $11,000 per year, on average, in federal assistance. That’s unacceptable, and it’s time for Congress to fix it.

          That’s why I’ve consistently cosponsored the bipartisan Military Widow’s Tax Elimination Act, legislation that would ensure families of fallen service members receive the support we have promised them by making sure spouses are awarded both SBP and DIC benefits in full. Frustratingly, the Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman blocked the bill from reaching the Senate floor for a vote -- despite the fact that 75 Senators supported the legislation.

          But just like our military families don’t give up on their loved ones, we can’t give up on fighting for them. So last month, I joined with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to urge leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to include a provision that mirrors that bill in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act -- so we can make sure military families receive their full benefits once and for all.

          I hope you will join me in raising our voices and standing up for our military families.

All my best,
Jeff