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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) joined 144 other Members of Congress, led by Richard Hudson (NC-9), in cosponsoring the Love Lives On Act — bipartisan legislation to ensure surviving spouses of fallen service members and veterans do not lose critical benefits if they choose to remarry.

Under current law, surviving spouses who remarry before the age of 55 lose access to key benefits they rely on to support themselves and their families. The Love Lives on Act would eliminate this penalty, allowing surviving spouse to retain benefits such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities, and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) benefits regardless of remarriage age. The bill would also restore TRICARE eligibility for remarried surviving spouses if that subsequent marriage ends.

"For far too long, surviving spouses have been forced to choose between financial security and finding love again,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “That is an unfair and deeply outdated burden to place on families who have already sacrificed so much for our country. The Love Lives On Act ensures that surviving spouses can move forward in their lives without fear of losing the benefits they earned through their loved one’s service.”

Military families in communities like El Paso understand the lasting impact of service and sacrifice. By removing barriers to stability, this legislation helps ensure that surviving spouses and their children can continue to access the support they need.

 The Love Lives On Act reflects a bipartisan commitment to honoring the sacrifices of service members by supporting the families they leave behind, without conditions.