Surviving spouses and families of fallen servicemembers and veterans took to Capitol Hill last week to meet with lawmakers and staffers in support of key legislation that would help survivors, military families, and veterans across the country.

Members of MOAA’s government relations team again joined advocates from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) on Sept. 22-23 as they visited Congress for the fourth-annual Gold Star Families Advocacy Week, just days before the nation observed Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day on Sept. 27.

MOAA and a coalition of military and veterans service organizations – including the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, The American Legion, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association – stood alongside survivors as they brought their stories directly to the halls of Congress.

This year, among a number of impactful pieces legislation brought to Capitol Hill, Gold Star advocates championed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (TCAVA), a comprehensive package containing more than 60 provisions supporting veterans, caregivers, survivors, and military families.

[ADD YOUR VOICE: Urge Your Lawmakers to Support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act]

These provisions include:

• The Love Lives On Act, allowing surviving spouses to keep critical survivor benefits if they remarry before age 55. Under current law, younger survivors are forced to choose between the benefits their loved one sacrificed for and reestablishing a two parent household for their children.
  
  
• The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Benefits Expansion Act, providing additional financial support to survivors receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). It would also help the most severely injured veterans who receive Special Monthly Compensation for aid and attendance.
  
  
• The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement (3R) Act, a top MOAA priority, which would help caregivers return to the workforce and plan for their financial future.

TCAVA also includes the Major Richard Star Act, along with 20 pieces of MOAA-supported legislation. Many of these bills have broad bipartisan support but have poor chances of making it into law as standalone legislation. TCAVA offers a pragmatic path forward.

MOAA congratulates TAPS for conducting this event and for giving survivors a direct voice on Capitol Hill. We are grateful to work alongside our fellow partner organizations on behalf of surviving families.