TAPS Applauds Introduction of Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
New legislative package addresses critical gaps in veteran benefits and survivor support
WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 11, 2026 — The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) today welcomed the introduction of the "Take Care of America’s Veterans Act," a landmark legislative package designed to strengthen financial security, health care access, and support services for our nation’s veterans, caregivers, surviving families, and descendants.
“This legislation represents our nation's sacred promise to those who serve and those they leave behind,” said Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder of TAPS. “We are grateful to Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) for sponsoring the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, which addresses long-standing gaps in benefits and ensures that those who have sacrificed in service to our nation, and their loved ones, are honored with the support they have earned.”
The omnibus bill represents a significant commitment to the survivor community, tackling several of TAPS' critical priorities, including the Love Lives On Act of 2025. The bipartisan bill supported by TAPS would allow widowed survivors to remarry at any age without losing their financial benefits. Under current law, surviving spouses are required to surrender these benefits if they remarry before reaching the age of 55.
“TAPS believes that surviving spouses of fallen service members should not have to choose between another chance at love, a stable home life for their children, and financial security. We are encouraged by the inclusion of the Love Lives On Act in this omnibus package, putting us one step away from finally ending the ‘remarriage penalty’ for surviving spouses,” said Carroll.
This legislation would ensure that surviving military spouses can retain their vital benefits if they remarry before age 55. Under current law, remarriage can result in the loss of key survivor benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments. Removing this “remarriage penalty” would empower surviving spouses to build a stable future without losing the benefits they earned through their sacrifice as a military spouse.
Major TAPS priorities in the package include:
Increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): This legislation would provide long-overdue financial relief by increasing DIC payments for surviving spouses and families of veterans who died from service-related causes. The 3% increase, delivered over three years, supplements regular cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and addresses the lack of real growth in these payments since 1993.
Justice for ALS Veterans Act: Current law requires a veteran to have been rated 100% disabled due to service-connected conditions for at least eight continuous years before death for a spouse to receive this extra payment. Because most people with ALS live only two to five years after diagnosis, many surviving spouses are excluded from the benefit. This bill would correct that gap.
Major Richard Star Act: Currently, many combat-injured veterans lose part of their military retirement pay because they receive VA disability benefits. This bill would allow them to receive both benefits. It would ensure financial stability for combat-injured veterans and their surviving family members.
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TAPS is the leading national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America's fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children and teens, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups, and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline. Services are provided at no cost to surviving families. For more information and to get involved, visit TAPS.org.