Poliquin fights to relieve financial burden of servicemembers traveling for duty

U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) recently introduced legislation that would enable National Guard and Reserve members to deduct expenses incurred while traveling from their homes to assigned duty locations.

The bicameral legislation, which was introduced by Poliquin and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), would allow servicemembers to deduct mileage, meals and lodging expenses related to travel from their adjusted gross incomes.

“Our hardworking and dedicated members and reservists of the National Guard sacrifice so much to be able to serve our country, often making extraordinary changes in their lives to travel long distances — sometimes even across state lines — for training,” Poliquin said. “We can’t expect these men and women to give up their time with family, but not provide them with the same tax treatment offered to other federal employees for their commutes. I’m proud to introduce this bicameral legislation to give our National Guard members the support they surely deserve.”

Daines said the “common sense” bill would ensure that servicemembers aren’t penalized for serving their country. “Our guardsmen and reservists do enough for our country without having to shell out additional funds to pay for their training,” Daines said.

Retired Sgt. Maj. Frank Yoakum, the executive director of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, said members of the National Guard bear a huge sacrifice in serving their country.

“In addition to balancing family obligations and civilian employment responsibilities with their military duties, they often must travel great distances at their own expense to attend drill and maintain combat proficiency,” Yoakum said. “The cost of this travel needs to have parity with other federal benefits and this legislation will do just that.”