Senate passes Manchin bill to expand protections for military families impacted by COVID-19

News Release
June 15, 2020

Bipartisan Legislation To Expand The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act To Provide Additional Legal Protections For Military Families During Pandemic

Charleston, WV – This week the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and provide additional legal protections for servicemembers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation expands SCRA protections to servicemembers who were previously issued orders to change duty stations but, due to the global pandemic, received a stop movement order and may have a housing or car lease in two different locations.

“This week, the Senate passed my bipartisan legislation to ensure our servicemembers and their families are taken care of during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many military families lives’ have been put on hold while orders to move to new stations are halted and plans are suspended. Our servicemembers and their families sacrifice daily for our country, and this legislation will give them help with leasing issues and other assistance during this difficult time. I am pleased the Senate passed this legislation to support our servicemembers and I look forward to the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly passing the legislation,” said Senator Manchin.

This legislation was cosponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Boozman (R-AR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).