U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill to Lower Taxes on Gold Star Families, Reverse Mistake in GOP Tax Law

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation that Senator Maggie Hassan, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, recently introduced with Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Doug Jones (D-AL) and colleagues from both parties to provide tax relief for children receiving benefits who have lost a parent serving in the military. Senator Jeanne Shaheen is also a cosponsor of the bill.

The GOP tax law increased taxes on military survivor benefits through its changes to a special tax intended to stop wealthy parents from sheltering income by shifting it to their children. This bipartisan legislation repeals the tax increase on military survivor benefits.

“I am pleased that the Senate unanimously passed our bipartisan bill to fix this egregious mistake that raised taxes on families of fallen servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us may live in freedom,” Senator Hassan said. “The families of these fallen servicemembers have given so much to our country, and I’ll keep working across the aisle to ensure that they have the full support that they deserve.”

“We have a duty to protect and care for the families of service members who gave their lives in service to our country,” Senator Shaheen said. “Gold Star families shouldn’t bear the burden of a mistake in the 2017 tax bill, which was written in secret and rushed through Congress. We need to do right by Gold Star families, which is why I’m pleased the Senate passed this legislation.”

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