for Servicemembers and Veterans

Washington, Jul 26, 2005 -

Today, U.S. Representative John R. Carter (TX-31) voted for H.R. 3200, the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005, which overwhelmingly passed this House of Representatives.

“There doesn’t need to be an expiration date on the increase of life insurance coverage for our servicemembers and veterans,” said Carter. “After all, there isn’t an expiration date to their ongoing sacrifice and service to our nation.”

The legislation authorizes the increase of maximum coverage available under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance programs from the current $250,000 ceiling to $400,000.

The increases for servicemembers and veterans were ratified earlier this year in FY2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, but are set to expire on September 30, 2005. This legislation will make the increases permanent. Additionally, the bill boosts the incremental increases in both of these life insurance programs from the current $10,000 to $50,000.