WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – as part of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to allow the spouses of members of the Armed Forces to maintain certain benefits even if they remarry after the death of their spouse in military service.

Surviving spouses are granted certain benefits from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but under current law, those benefits could be terminated if they remarry before the age of 55. Sen. Moran’s amendment would make certain surviving spouses maintain access to commissaries and exchanges on U.S. military bases even if they remarry.

“A survivor who remarries is still a survivor, regardless of when they remarry,” said Sen. Moran. “No survivor should have to choose between getting married again or keeping benefits that are actively supporting their family. This amendment is one piece of the larger puzzle to support military survivors, and I am grateful for its passage.”

Sen. Moran’s amendment is part of his comprehensive bill, the Love Lives on Act of 2023, which would ensure military surviving spouses are able to keep certain benefits provided by VA and DOD even if they remarry before the age of 55.

The full text of the amendment here.