Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s focus on veterans affairs is starting to pay off.
The senator’s legislation known as the “Supporting Families of the Fallen Act” will go into effect Wednesday.
It’s a milestone for Tuberville (R-Auburn), as well: It is his first standalone bill to become law.
The bill will raise the maximum coverage amounts offered under Veterans Group Life Insurance and Service Members Group Life Insurance plans by $100,000, Tuberville’s office said. This is the first increase to VGLI and SGLI maximum coverage amounts since 2005.
“The families of America’s heroes deserve our unwavering support and appreciation,” Tuberville said. “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.”
Several groups including the Military Officers Association of America and the Wounded Warrior Project have hailed the new legislation.
“The Supporting Families of the Fallen Act is long overdue and will authorize the Service members’ Group Life Insurance and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance to catch up with inflation,” said Military Officers Association of America President and CEO Dana Atkins. “This legislation is ultimately about supporting the families of service members and MOAA looks forward to growing bi-partisan support for this important modernization of life insurance.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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