Tuberville’s servicemembers insurance bill signed into law

US Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)’s bill to increase service members’ life insurance benefits was signed into law by President Biden today.

The Supporting Families of the Fallen Act, co-sponsored by eight Tuberville colleagues, increases the coverage of group life insurance and the US Department of Veterans Affairs group life insurance from $400,000 to $500,000. To date, the coverage amounts have not been updated since 2005.

“The families of American heroes deserve our unwavering support and appreciation,” said Tuberville. “The increase in life insurance benefits for families of those paying the ultimate sacrifice has been long overdue and I am proud to see this important law enacted.

“We can never fully repay our military members and military families for their sacrifice, but I am committed to finding ways to show our appreciation by doing everything I can to support our troops and their families.”

Tuberville was joined by Sens. Kevin Cramer (RN.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) , John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Rounds (RS.D.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in promoting the legislation.

“This legislation would increase the coverage of VA’s life insurance policies for both veterans and those currently on duty and provide additional peace of mind and security for military and veterans’ families,” said Jose Ramos, Wounded’s vice president of government and community relations Warrior Project.

Tuberville, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, introduced the Family Support Act in September 2021. Cramer, Scott, Braun, Barrasso and Lummis were original co-sponsors of the bill. The committee passed the law in December 2021 and it was approved by the full Senate in March. The US House of Representatives passed the law last month.

“The Supporting Families of the Fallen Act is long overdue and will empower servicemember group life insurance and veteran group life insurance to catch up on inflation,” said Dana Atkins, president and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America. “This legislation is ultimately about supporting service members’ families, and MOAA looks forward to growing bipartisan support for this important modernization of life insurance.”