Jackie Speier: “I am proud to speak in support of this bipartisan bill that contains the priorities of both parties. And while it wasn't…”

“I am proud to speak in support of this bipartisan bill that contains the priorities of both parties. And while it wasn't unanimous, it does nothing to change our responsibilities to give military members and families bipartisan support. We did that in the Military Personnel Subcommittee, and I thank Ranking Member Kelly for his work. This bill contains two landmark achievements for our servicemembers and their families. It institutes a comprehensive fix to the festering problem of the so-called widow's tax, ensuring that surviving widows or widowers won't have their DOD and VA benefits offset. I was once a widow. I know the pain and the emptiness. We must take care of the spouses who sacrifice so much for our Nation. This bill rectifies a grievous denial of rights to servicemembers who are victims of malpractice at military medical facilities by allowing Active-Duty servicemembers to sue the Department for malpractice. For more than a half century, those who put their lives on the line have had fewer legal rights to sue for malpractice than prisoners in Federal prisons. This bill moves the ball forward on other personnel priorities by funding a 3.1 percent pay raise; shortening childcare backlogs; improving sexual assault prevention and response, including at the service academies; promoting spousal employment; creating a housing ombudsman; and giving TRICARE beneficiaries the same contraception coverage benefits as all other Americans.…”