Protect the Families of Fallen Servicemembers

Floor Speech

Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce H.R. 1263, to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide surviving spouses with certain protections relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures.

Protecting our veterans and service members is important, but their families are an extension of our military families and affording them equal mortgage foreclosure protection is just as important.

The death of a servicemember while in service, can be hard for a spouse as they adjust to a new life without their loved one, this includes a single family income, which in many instances is not enough to provide for a family and make their mortgage payments. Extending these protections would allow grieving spouses 9 months to work on a resolution with their lender or sell their home, if necessary.

Servicemembers currently receive foreclosure protections for 9 months after the end of military service. These protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) are meant to allow a period of transition and adjustment after service. Unfortunately, this protection does not exist for spouses. That is why today I am introducing this legislation.

H.R. 1263 amends the SCRA by extending protection against mortgage foreclosure for 9 months to a surviving spouse of servicemember who died while in military service and their death is service connected and the individual is the successor of the servicemember's property. In conclusion, H.R. 1263 takes an important step toward protecting the families of our brave fallen heroes. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1263.

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