WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) and Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07) today introduced the bipartisan Support Military Families Act to ensure that military spouses who work for the federal government can keep their jobs and support their servicemembers and families. By allowing military spouses who are federal employees to be exempt from the federal return-to-work mandate, this effort will help military families retain their jobs while keeping experienced staff in the federal workforce.
The bipartisan Support Military Families Act was introduced after the congressmen’s offices heard directly from Virginians affected by the federal return-to-work mandate.
“Our military families make great sacrifices in support of their loved ones in the Armed Forces — for which we are forever grateful for — and should not come at the expense of employability, financial stability, or personal fulfillment,” said Congressman Wittman. “A constituent in Yorktown contacted my office because – like many military families – her family relies on dual incomes. The ability to maintain consistent employment through military moves is essential for her family’s well-being, and remote work has made it possible for her to maintain her federal career despite the frequent relocations that come with military life. Supporting the careers of military spouses is patriotic and just plain common sense. I’m proud to join my fellow Virginia delegation colleague in introducing this bipartisan legislation, which will support our military families, and in turn, strengthen our national security.”
“As a 25-year Army veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices military spouses make for our nation,” said Congressman Vindman. “I know that supporting military families is not a partisan issue, it is an American issue. A constituent in Orange County reached out to our office because her husband is an active-duty service member and their family faces impossible options due to the return-to-office mandate: leave the military, commute 200-miles daily to DC, or leave her job of 18 years. No military family should have to make this choice. That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to guarantee that those serving our country in uniform can continue their mission, that our federal agencies retain experienced staff, and that military families remain together.”
Read the full bill text here.
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