Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) signed into law on November 11, 2009, was originally introduced by Congressman John Carter (Texas) during the 110th United States Congress. The MSRRA was written to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to include protection of military spouses, with regards to voting, property and taxes, and provide equitable treatment of military spouses.

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act Coalition Logo
Military Spouses Residency Relief Act Coalition Bill Logo

Congressman Carter sponsored the bill after two military spouses, Army spouse Rebecca Noah Poynter and Navy spouse Joanna Williamson, approached him about residency concerns resulting from military moves and increasing deployments due to the War on Terrorism. Military spouses were required to become a resident of the state where they resided, in contrast to service members that could maintain a home state.

During the bill's life in the 110th Congress, H.R. 6070 had 72 co-sponsors.[1] It is believed that the bill could have passed during the 110th Congress but due to the housing crisis in 2008 it was quickly dismissed.

On February 25, 2009 of the 111th United States Congress, Congressman Carter reintroduced MSRRA; H.R. 1182.[2]

Senator Richard Burr introduced the companion bill, S. 475, to the Senate Committee of Veterans' Affairs on February 25, 2009.[3] Rebecca Poynter testified at the Senate Committee of Veterans' Affairs in April.[4] May 7, 2009 MSRRA passed a Senate floor vote.[5]

Supporting organizations

During the Congressional bill process, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) was the lead veteran organization with these organizations also in support:

Enactment

During the bills life in the House, H.R. 1182 had 208 co-sponsors. It was on its way for full House Veterans' Affairs Committee vote when S. 475 was signed into law.[6]

The bill S. 475 had 44 co-sponsors. It passed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and passed during House floor debate on November 2, 2009.[7]

A team from the Military Spouse Business Association, Rebecca Noah Poynter, Joanna Williamson, Rikki Winters, Lynn Carroll, Lanette Lepper, and Kara Acosta, led a support campaign to include a Facebook site of military families. The grassroots and virtual Facebook social media campaign built to 22,000 allowing public support from military families across the country to be expressed to legislators. Military Spouses and supporters across the nation (Pete Seidler, Cynthia Wass Shepard, Carolyn Duft LeVering, Susan Cross Johnston, David Etheridge, Rick Trevino) volunteered virtually to increase support by contacting Senate and House Offices, and answering questions.

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, President Barack Obama signed Pub.L. 111–97 (text) (pdf).[8]

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, issued a press release after he signed the bill.[9] The Military Times called the bill "landmark legislation" for military families.

Sponsors

Support

References
  1. 110th Congress (2008) (May 15, 2008). "H.R. 6070". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  2. Congressman John Carter (Feb 25, 2009). "Carter Re-introduces Military Spouses Residency Relief Act in House". Carter.House.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  3. Senator Daniel Akaka (July 15, 2009). "Military Spouses Residency Relief Act". GPO.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  4. Rebecca Poynter (April 29, 2009). "Committee on Veterans Affairs: Hearings". Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs website http://www.veterans.senate.gov/. Retrieved September 17, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. Senator Richard Burr (May 7, 2009). "Senator Richard Burr Introduces Resolution to Honor "Military Spouse Appreciation Day"". Burr.Senate.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  6. "THOMAS – Bill Text – H.R.1182". THOMAS. The Library of Congress. Feb 25, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  7. House Session Nov 2, 2009 (House Proceeding). Washington, District of Columbia, United States: C-SPAN Video Library. Nov 2, 2009. Event occurs at 0:6:51–0:20:25. 289741-101. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  8. "THOMAS – Bill Text – S.475". THOMAS. The Library of Congress. Feb 25, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  9. Office of the Press Secretary (November 11, 2009). "Statement by the President on S. 475". The White House. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  10. MOAA (Sep 24, 2009). "Statement of Military Officers Association of America". House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website http://archives.democrats.veterans.house.gov/. Retrieved August 28, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  11. Christina M. Roof (Sep 24, 2009). "Statement of Christina M. Roof". House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website http://archives.democrats.veterans.house.gov/. Retrieved August 23, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  12. Justin Brown (Sep 24, 2009). "Statement of Justin Brown, Legislative Associate National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States Before The Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives" (PDF). VFW.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  13. Mark Walker (September 24, 2009). "Statement of Mark Walker Executive Summary". House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website http://archives.democrats.veterans.house.gov/. Retrieved August 28, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  14. Paralyzed Veterans of America (September 24, 2009). "Statement For The Record Of Paralyzed Veterans Of America". http://www.docstoc.com/. p. 4. Retrieved August 28, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  15. Patrick Campbell (Sep 24, 2009). "Statement of Patrick Campbell". House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website http://archives.democrats.veterans.house.gov/. Retrieved August 28, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  16. Richard F. Weidman (Sep 24, 2009). "Statement of Richard F. Weidman". House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website http://archives.democrats.veterans.house.gov/. Retrieved August 28, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
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