[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 107 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1537]]
              THE MILITARY FAMILIES FINANCIAL SECURITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 18, 2003

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Military Families Financial Security Act. This bill will ensure that 
the brave men and women who serve our country will not have to worry 
about losing the critical services their children need.
  The men and women who serve in our Armed Forces are everyday heroes. 
I know about the valor of military families from my own experience as a 
military wife when my husband was stationed in Japan during the Vietnam 
War. As a wife and mother in a foreign country with two young children, 
I was truly grateful for the support of other military families. The 
most striking quality of these families was the sense of pride in 
serving our country even in a time of strife and stress. I can honestly 
say that I met extraordinary individuals in extraordinary 
circumstances.
  The resilience and patriotism of military families is inspirational. 
Their unwavering courage in answering the call to serve our country is 
even more inspiring when one realizes that many of these men and women 
are leaving families back home. We must remember that many of our 
service personnel also answer to the title of ``mom'' or ``dad.'' Just 
as these brave men and women are working to protect our Nation, we must 
likewise protect them and their loved ones through the laws and 
policies we enact.
  In San Diego and around the country, many military families who have 
children with disabilities rely on assistance from the Federal 
Government to help cover the costs of health care, day care, and care 
for special needs. Eligible families receive Supplemental Security 
Income, or SSI, to ease the financial burden. However, these military 
families are in danger of losing this much-needed assistance because of 
a bureaucratic quirk. They face a unique risk of losing their benefits 
because service members can receive numerous types of additional pay 
that can increase their income. The Social Security Administration 
regards this extra pay differently than extra pay for non-military 
employment. Since eligibility for SSI is based on income, the 
difference of a few dollars can mean having health care or no care at 
all.
  The Military Families Financial Security Act would change how the 
Social Security Administration calculates income to determine 
eligibility for Supplemental Security Income. This simple change in the 
treatment of income will keep families eligible for SSI benefits and 
resolve an existing disparity between military and non-military 
families.
  In addition, the Military Families Financial Security Act would also 
expand SSI eligibility to disabled children who are born to or who 
apply for benefits while living with parents who are military personnel 
stationed outside the United States. Currently, children of military 
personnel stationed overseas are eligible for SSI if they received SSI 
while they were in the United States. Such an extension would eliminate 
the disparate treatment of children of military personnel who were born 
or became blind or disabled outside of the United States.
  With our sailors and soldiers in harm's way, there is not a worse 
time for them to be concerned about whether loved ones are getting the 
care they need. This legislation offers them the peace of mind that 
comes with knowing their families will always have the critical support 
they need.
  I urge my colleagues in Congress to act quickly in passing the 
Military Families Financial Security Act into law.

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