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Fairness for Servicemembers and Their Families Act of 2025

Floor Speech

Date: April 7, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Takano for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for my bill, H.R. 970, the Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025.

I first thank Chairmen Bost and Luttrell and Ranking Members Takano and McGarvey for working with me to get this bill to the floor. I also thank my partners in this effort, Congressman Keith Self and Senator John Cornyn.

The Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act will help ensure that life insurance benefits for servicemembers and veterans account for changes in the economy.

This bill will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to periodically review and report on the maximum coverage available under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance. Accurate and reliable data will allow the VA to make necessary policy adjustments to ensure accurate payments.

I have the honor of representing Joint Base Lewis-McChord, home to tens of thousands of servicemembers and their families. Our servicemembers courageously put their lives on the line for our country, and we must secure the well-being of their families and loved ones in the event of a tragedy.

Servicemembers' life insurance plans must keep pace with economic demands. A robust life insurance policy can provide a grieving family with the financial security they need to navigate the loss of their loved ones and do so with dignity.

The brave men and women who sacrifice their lives deserve peace of mind, knowing their families will be taken care of. For nearly two decades, the maximum coverage of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance programs has been stagnant, even as the costs of housing, goods, and services have risen over the past 20 years.

This bill ensures that these programs are reviewed periodically to verify their value sufficiently and to make sure they are updated to the current CPI or Consumer Price Index.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I thank my colleagues for their unwavering commitment to supporting veterans. I look forward to it being passed and signed into law.

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