Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3509
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-07T08:05:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act" (H.R. 3509) aims to eliminate time restrictions for certain claims against the U.S. government filed by survivors of Armed Forces members who died while serving on or after September 11, 2001. It focuses on ensuring these survivors can seek survivor benefits without facing a deadline.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: The bill modifies Section 3702(b)(1) of Title 31, United States Code, which governs claims for money damages against the government.
- It adds a new exception (subparagraph C) for claims related to survivor benefits under subsection (a)(1)(A).
- Under this exception, no time limit applies to claims by survivors of service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.
- Applicability: The changes apply only to claims filed on or after the date the Act is enacted into law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Current law imposes a six-year statute of limitations (a deadline for filing claims) on most claims against the U.S. government for damages or benefits.
- This bill creates a specific carve-out, removing that deadline entirely for the targeted survivor benefit claims, allowing filings at any time after enactment.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Survivors (such as spouses or dependents) of post-9/11 military deaths gain unrestricted access to file for overdue or delayed benefits, potentially increasing financial support for these families.
- On Government Agencies: Agencies handling claims, like the Department of the Treasury or the Department of Veterans Affairs, may see an influx of new or reopened cases, leading to higher administrative workloads and potential payouts without time-based defenses.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic military survivor benefits.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: Survivors of Armed Forces members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, including spouses, children, and other dependents eligible for survivor benefits.
- Government Entities: The U.S. Treasury (which processes claims under Title 31) and military/veterans' affairs departments responsible for benefit administration and payments.
- Indirectly Affected: Veteran support organizations and legal advocates who assist families with claims.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: By removing the statute of limitations, the bill expands access to remedies under the Federal Claims Act framework, potentially reducing barriers for valid claims but increasing litigation risks for the government without time-bar defenses. It applies prospectively (only to future filings), avoiding retroactive challenges.
- Constitutional Implications: No major issues; the change aligns with Congress's authority to regulate federal claims and support military families, without infringing on due process or equal protection principles.
- Political Implications: The bill signals bipartisan support for post-9/11 military families (introduced by Representatives Golden and Luttrell), potentially influencing future veterans' legislation by prioritizing equity in benefits administration.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-05-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act — issued 2025-05-20 — PDF (2 pages)