‘Long overdue’: Tuberville’s military insurance bill signed into law

WASHINGTON — Called “long overdue” by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), his bill to increase service members’ life insurance benefit coverage was signed into law Monday by President Biden.

The Supporting Families of the Fallen Act, cosponsored by eight of Tuberville’s colleagues, increases the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance coverage amount from $400,000 to $500,000. Until today, the coverage amounts had not been updated since 2005.

“The families of America’s heroes deserve our unwavering support and appreciation,” said Tuberville. “Increasing the life insurance benefit provided to families of those who pay the ultimate sacrifice was long overdue, and I am proud to see this important legislation signed into law.

“We can never fully repay our service 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 loved ones.”

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

“This bill would raise the coverage amount of VA’s life insurance policies for both veterans and those currently serving, and provides additional peace of mind and security for military and veteran families,” said Jose Ramos, Wounded Warrior Project’s Vice President for Government & Community Relations.

Tuberville, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act in September 2021. Cramer, Scott, Braun, Barrasso, and Lummis were original cosponsors of the bill. The committee passed the bill in December 2021 and it was approved by the full Senate in March. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill last month.

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