WASHINGTON, D.C. – The For Country Caucus, a bipartisan group of military veterans, today announced its endorsement of H.R. 854 Captain James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act. The legislation, introduced by For Country Caucus Members Mike Waltz (FL-06), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Jason Crow (CO-06), aims to build on the bipartisan veterans’ work to support our nation’s Gold Star families.
Current law mandates that spouses of fallen service members who remarry before the age of 55 lose their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and those that remarry before the age of 57 lose their Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The Captain James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act would entirely remove those penalties so Gold Star spouses can receive the benefits they deserve.
“Our fallen troops gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. In their absence and in their honor, we must do right by their spouses and families—regardless of changes in marital status,” said For Country Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06). “The James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act is common-sense legislation to improve benefits for Gold Star Spouses. Let’s do right by our fallen and pass this legislation.”
“I am grateful that, since its inception, the For Country Caucus has recognized the unfairness of the remarriage-penalty for our Gold Star families,” said Rep. Waltz. “While we’ve made progress, lowering the cutoff age from 57 to 55, much work still remains. This important legislation would allow Gold Star spouses to move forward with their lives, allowing them to remarry, free of fear of losing their benefits owed to them for their family’s noble sacrifice.”
The SBP is a death benefit provided by the Department of Defense. Based on a percentage of retired pay, the SBP gives eligible survivors of servicemembers who died on active duty an inflation-adjusted monthly income. The DIC is a VA tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of active-duty service members and survivors of veterans whose deaths are determined to be service-related.
The For Country Caucus has successfully pushed for multiple pieces of legislation to support Gold Star Families. This includes passage of the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, which repealed tax increases on children receiving survivor benefits; the Gold Star Families Park Pass Act, which made the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available at no cost to members of Gold Star families; the Fallen Heroes Family Travel Act, which authorized reimbursement to Gold Star families for the costs of transporting fallen servicemembers’ remains to a national cemetery; the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Location Act, which served as the final step in authorizing the establishment of the GWOT Memorial on the National Mall. Additionally, Caucus efforts contributed to the Expansion of Support Programs for Special Operations Gold Star Families and the repeal of the Military Widow’s Tax.
Joining Reps. Waltz, Moulton, Bacon, and Crow in cosponsoring the legislation are For Country Caucus members Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Don Davis (NC-01), and Nick Lalota (NY-01). Also cosponsoring the legislation is Delia Ramirez (IL-03).
###
Co-Chaired by Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), the bipartisan For Country Caucus provides principled military veteran members the opportunity to work together across party lines to pass thoughtful legislation in national security, veterans affairs, and national service. Since its founding in 2019, the caucus has advocated for a less polarized Congress that works for — and is trusted by — Americans.