Patrick Leahy: “I thank my friend for introducing this amendment, which closes a troubling loophole in our military personnel system.…”

“I thank my friend for introducing this amendment, which closes a troubling loophole in our military personnel system. Currently, members of the National Guard called up under Federal title 32 status are not eligible for the protections of the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act. The act ensures that a servicemember can protect their house, life insurance, and health insurance while on active duty. It ensures a smooth transition back and forth between active service and civilian life, and it essentially underpins the entire military personnel system. We cannot defend the country without the National Guard, and we cannot attract qualified people to the Guard without the relief act. This amendment extends the relief act to these proud citizen-soldiers. They must have these protections so they can focus on their mission. For them, I urge the adoption of the amendment.”