MOAA Applauds Hill Action for Military Spouses

November 3, 2009

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)President Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret, praised Congress for its action to approve the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act and send it to the President for signature into law.

"MOAA is proud to have worked with congressional leaders for two years on this important legislation to allow military spouses the option to elect the same state of domicile as their active duty spouse," said Ryan. "We're grateful for the leadership of Rep. John Carter (R-TX) for shepherding it to a successful vote in the House of Representatives on Nov. 2, and to Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) for their efforts to win Senate approval earlier this fall. Their bipartisan efforts will make a huge difference for military spouses."

The new legislation would let the spouse claim the servicemember's state for voting, tax, and other purposes. Under current law, many spouses must change their residency when the servicemember is reassigned to a different state.

"This is fantastic news for our service families worldwide," said Rep. Carter. "We should have done this long ago, but at least we are now on track to have a new law in 2009."

"This legislation is one small way we can help ease the burden of military families, who make sacrifices everyday to support our men and women in uniform and to keep our country safe," said Senator Burr.

"What a great way to kick off Military Family Appreciation Month," said Joy Dunlap, MOAA's Deputy Director of Government Relations. "Our thanks go to all the spouses and servicemembers - past and present - who spoke out on this issue."

MOAA's president spoke at the bill's introductory press conference, and provided testimony, briefings, e-mails and phone calls to Hill staffers. Most recently, MOAA highlighted every legislator's support status in the November issue of its Military Officer magazine.

SOURCE Military Officers Association of America