Wenstrup’s bipartisan, bicameral bill extends lease protections for military members’ spouses

U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) is the lead original cosponsor of a bipartisan, bicameral bill to financially support the spouses of U.S. service members who died in the line of duty or suffered a catastrophic injury while serving in the Armed Services.

“The spouses of those who sacrifice in service to our nation should be supported when tragedy strikes, not trapped in leases and contracts,” Rep. Wenstrup said. 

Some of the most common catastrophic injuries that render a person unable to work include serious head trauma; accidental amputation; multiple bone fracture; brain injury; severe burns; organ damage; spinal cord and neurological disorders that caused paralysis; and paraplegia and quadriplegia, according to HG.org Legal Resources, an independent, online law and government information site.

The Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act, H.R. 2227, which Rep. Wenstrup introduced on April 10 with U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), would extend  home and automobile leasing protections that exist in current law.

If enacted, H.R. 2227 would permit the spouses of catastrophically injured service members to end their property leases and automobile leases and would allow Gold Star spouses, who were married to a service member who died during combat, to terminate their automobile leases, all without penalty, the congressman said.

Current federal law already allows Gold Star spouses to end their residential leases, added Rep. Wenstrup last week.

Among the many supporters of H.R. 2227 are Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, and the American Legion.

The same-named companion bill, S. 1118, also was introduced on April 10 by U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

The measure is under consideration by each chamber’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee.