Supporting Families of the Fallen Act

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures. If I were present for roll call votes, I would have voted Aye for the following votes:

Roll 461, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 4900--SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022.

Roll 462, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8466--Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act of 2022, as amended.

Roll 463, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 3470--End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022.

Roll 464, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 2551--AI Training Act.

Roll 465, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 958--Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act.

Roll 466, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 6965--Visit America Act, as amended.

Roll 467, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 7321--Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, as amended.

Roll 468, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, House Amendment to S. 3662--Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act.

Roll 469, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8888--Food Security for All Veterans Act.

Roll 470, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 2794--Supporting Families of the Fallen Act.

Roll 471, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8446--Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2022, as amended.

Roll 472, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 8463--Millennium Challenge Corporation Eligibility Expansion Act.

Roll 473, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Certain Bills and Concur in the Senate Amendments on H.R. 8956, H.R. 6967, H.R. 8163, H.R. 4081, H.R. 6889, H.R. 1638, Senate Amendment to

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2794, the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act.

I thank Senator Tuberville and Congressman Roy for leading this effort in the Senate and the House, respectively.

This bill makes much-needed updates to the coverage amounts for the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program.

Specifically, this bill would allow VA to raise the max payment for both programs from $400,000 to $500,000. An additional $100,000 would make it easier for surviving spouses to keep a roof over their family's head and food on the table following the loss of their loved one.

As many of you know, VA's life insurance programs may be the only affordable option available to servicemembers and veterans. This is because some veterans may not be eligible for private life insurance due to the added risk of military service or because they have a service-connected disability, like PTSD or cancer.

When we send our military into harm's way, VA insurance programs provide them and their families with financial security. However, the max rate of $400,000, which was established in 2005, does not meet the needs of today's survivors.

Since 2005, American families have seen the cost of living continuously rise. This is especially true right now due to historic inflation under the Biden administration.

This bill would provide families with insurance coverage that will better meet their needs. S. 2794 builds on our Nation's promises to care for the families of those lost in service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2794) to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase automatic maximum coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program and the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2794.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, life insurance is designed to offer protection from loss and serves as a death benefit. For a veteran or servicemember, VA's Veterans' Group Life Insurance offers security and confidence that loved ones will be covered and made financially whole in the event a source of income is lost.

While no amount of money can replace the life of a beloved family member, VA's Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance exists to provide an affordable option to provide a fiscal shield for survivors.

Neither insurance program has experienced a coverage limit increase since 2005. This bill increases the maximum amount of coverage for Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance by $100,000, which means expanded coverage of up to $500,000 for each option.

Madam Speaker, I support this bill, I urge all of my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank all the folks that came together for this bill, and I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 2794, which upon passage today will be sent on to the President's desk for signature.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of my bill, which in this case is the S version--the Senate version--that was introduced by Senator Tuberville from Alabama, S. 2794, the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act.

The ranking member just articulated why this legislation is important. I think one of the things that we have to remember is the extent to which our men and women in uniform have to keep up and keep pace with inflation, and we thought this was important.

I had a constituent in my district who raised this issue. I sat down with that constituent and then met with a bunch of other constituents who were running into the same problem. I talked to a number of my veteran colleagues, and we believed that this was an important solution.

As many know, I am not one to want to put forward legislation that isn't paid for. This bill, for the most part, pays for itself with the slight exception of Active Duty combat individuals. I believe that is an exception worth making when we talk about things that are not paid for.

It is straightforward. It simply increases the SGLI and VGLI maximum coverage from $400,000 to $500,000 so that servicemembers and veterans can customize the coverage amount that they need. I think it is a commonsense solution. It is bipartisan and it is bicameral.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the chairman and the ranking member for their support.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 290, S. 2794.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill.

I further ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.