U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) last week introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that aims to correct a gap in current federal law that prevents certain domestic abuse survivors from receiving financial assistance from their military spouses.
“Just as our men and women in the Armed Forces sacrifice for their country, so too do military spouses,” Rep. Buchanan said. “In times of crisis, it’s critical that they are able to access these benefits in a timely and efficient manner.”
Rep. Buchanan sponsored the Rachel Booth Act, H.R. 5858, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) in their chamber, while U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the identical S. 3180 in the U.S. Senate.
The bill is named for Rachel Booth, a constituent of Rep. Buchanan’s from Lithia, Fla., who could not access needed financial assistance when her husband was convicted of domestic abuse in a civilian court and then discharged from the United States military on an unrelated offense, according to information provided by the congressman’s office.
Currently, dependents of service members are eligible to apply for Transitional Compensation (TC) to help them transition to financial independence after the service member has been discharged from the military for a domestic abuse offense, according to the information.
However, cases exist in which the service member is convicted of a domestic abuse offense in a civilian court but is discharged from the military for another offense, the information says, noting that current law requires a dependent in this situation to request “exceptional eligibility” from the member’s service secretary to be awarded TC, a process that may not get resolved for years.
The Rachel Booth Act would fix this situation by ensuring standard eligibility for TC for dependents of service members who are convicted of domestic abuse in civilian court, even if they are separated from the military for another offense, according to the congressman’s information.
“I’m pleased to introduce this important legislation alongside Congresswoman Speier and Senators Rubio, Gillibrand, and Hassan to help domestic abuse victims get back on their feet as soon as possible,” said Rep. Buchanan.