Hello from your Nation’s Capital! I wanted to begin this update with a huge thank you to all of you that contacted your Members of Congress and encouraged them to work and support legislation that supports surviving military spouses and their families. For the first time in many years, we were able to get a bill introduced in the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives that addressed the inequality when it comes to DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation). We also had a bill introduced in both the House and the Senate that addressed and fixed the SBP-DIC issue. Ultimately, these bills did not pass and will need to be re-introduced in this new session of Congress, the 116th.

I have spoken with staff members and I look forward to hopefully getting these bills reintroduced and continue the work of gathering support. As soon as these bills are introduced, I will be sure to let you all know. I will also continue to work on getting the Congressional charter amended that would allow our leadership to testify freely on behalf of the issues important to all of us.

As many of you know, I have had the opportunity to work and live in Washington DC for over 15 years including working on the Hill for the new Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith. I look forward to continue connecting with friends and colleagues that are returning to the Hill and will continue to push for our issues there. It is important for everyone to continue to reach out to your Members of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor and push for the legislative issues that are important to us.

Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to continuing my work as your advocate in Washington DC.

Lars Anderson