TANNER SUPPORTS SERVICEMEMBER PAY RAISE,
TAX RELIEF FOR MILITARY, VETERANS' FAMILIES

With Congressman John Tanner’s support, the House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation Tuesday encouraging the President to raise the basic pay for members of the Armed Forces and extending tax benefits for servicemembers and veterans.

“The men and women serving our Armed Forces now and those who have served in the past deserve our support and gratitude,” Tanner said. “They and their families have sacrificed much on behalf of our country, and I am proud we are able to honor their service.”

The House passed the following two pieces of legislation.

• H. Con. Res 162, which passed 409-0. The resolution encourages the President to increase basic military pay by 3.5%. It also provides a $40 special survivor indemnity allowance for those affected by required Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity offsets for dependency and indemnity compensation.

• The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act (HEART Act, H.R. 3997), which passed 410-0. The bill: makes several tax relief provisions permanent for military families; helps veterans obtain low-interest loans to become homeowners; and includes tax benefits for other public servants who face risk, including volunteer firefighters and Peace Corps volunteers. The bill is fully paid for under the House’s fiscally responsible “pay-as-you-go” rules.

Congressman John Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8^th District in West and Middle Tennessee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee National Guard, he currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and as chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714