Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement today applauding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) decision to close the gap in benefits for certain same-sex veteran spouses and ensure they have access to the full and complete spousal benefits they are owed:
“Every single service member and military family makes massive sacrifices on behalf of our nation, and all of them deserve the benefits they are entitled to — no matter whom they love,” said Senator Coons. “The VA’s decision to eliminate the discriminatory obstacle for survivor benefits for spouses and families who have already been through so much comes not a moment too soon, but our work is not done. I will continue to work until all of our veterans in the LGBTQ+ community and their spouses receive the same benefits as the other soldiers and sailors they served alongside.”
The VA’s decision comes after Senator Coons joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and 39 other Democratic colleagues in urging VA Secretary Denis McDonough to address discriminatory VA practices preventing surviving loved ones from getting complete access to VA benefits they deserve.
In addition to writing to the VA about this issue, Senator Coons joined a letter with Senators Murray and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service Charles Rettig that called on the Biden administration to revise current guidance that has led to members of the LGBTQ+ community being denied pension survivor benefits after losing life partners. That request is still under review.
The full text of the letter to Secretary McDonough can be found here.
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