Congressman Salazar Stands Up for Military Families

Salazar Amendment to Defense Bill Would End Military Families' Tax

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) took a stand for military families today, when he introduced an amendment to the 2006 Defense Authorization Bill to end the Military Families Tax and ensure that survivors of fallen soldiers receive their full benefits. Under current law, families of soldiers who have paid into the Survivor’s Benefit Pension program have their benefits cut when the soldier is killed in action. Salazar’s amendment would have ended this disparity and allowed survivors of those who served our nation to receive their promised benefits.

“We must keep our promise to the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom,” said Salazar. “We should be taking care of these families, giving them and our fallen soldiers the respect and honor they deserve.”

Under current law, survivors are prevented from receiving full payments from their Survivor’s Benefit Pension (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).  If a soldier enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan dies of a service-connected cause, the spouse’s SBP benefit is reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of the DIC – a $933 reduction per month.

“Taxing military families doesn’t make any sense – the current law essentially penalizes soldiers for trying to plan for their families,” said Salazar. “The remaining SBP is rarely enough for a spouse with a family to survive or pay for basic needs. It is unfair and unjust to cut benefits when our military families are most in need.”

Debate on Salazar’s amendment was prevented by a vote of 225-200.

“It is a shame we were prevented from having an honest discussion about helping our military families,” said Salazar. “Leading into Memorial Day, we should have done more than offer lip service to those who gave their lives for our freedom.”

Salazar is also a proud cosponsor of the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (HR 808) which would correct this benefit disparity for the families of all military personnel and retirees who die of service-connected causes.