Love Lives On Act of 2025
Sponsor
Richard Hudson
Republican · NC-9
Latest Action · Feb 3, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Bill Progress
Bill Lets Military Widows Keep Benefits
Why it matters
More military families will keep vital financial support, even if they remarry.
The big picture: For decades, widows and widowers of military service members lost government benefits if they remarried—putting many in an impossible choice between love and financial security. The Love Lives On Act changes that, letting surviving spouses keep their benefits even if they marry again.
Zoom in: This bill updates two main benefit programs: the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the military's Survivor Benefit Plan. Before this change, remarriage usually cut off these payments or reduced them sharply.
Between the lines: Advocates say this fixes a long-standing injustice. It recognizes that surviving spouses shouldn't be penalized for moving forward with their lives. With broad bipartisan support (135+ cosponsors), it sails through committees focused on armed services and veterans’ issues.
What This Bill Does
Protects Benefits After Remarriage
Surviving spouses can keep veterans benefits, like DIC, even if they remarry.
Updates the Survivor Benefit Plan
Surviving spouses also keep military retirement survivor payments if they remarry.
Cleans Up Outdated Rules
Changes old laws that took away or reduced benefits after remarriage.
Broader Definition of Eligible Spouses
Clarifies who counts as a 'surviving spouse' for these benefits.
Directs Agencies to Update Policies
Requires the VA and Defense Department to change their regulations to reflect this new policy.
Who Benefits
Surviving spouses of veterans
They can remarry without losing key financial benefits.
Children of deceased service members
They may have more financial stability if their parent remarries.
Future military families
Less stress about financial security after a service member’s death.
Remarried survivors
They gain independence without sacrificing financial help.
Who's Affected
Current surviving spouses considering remarriage
They can now remarry without risking benefits.
Federal government (VA and DoD)
Needs to update systems and may pay more in benefits.
Taxpayers
Potential for slightly increased federal spending on survivor benefits.
Veterans groups
May shift advocacy focus as a long-running issue is resolved.
Cosponsors (135)
Joe Neguse
Democrat · CO
Derrick Van Orden
Republican · WI
Kelly Morrison
Democrat · MN
Morgan Luttrell
Republican · TX
Ro Khanna
Democrat · CA
Gabe Amo
Democrat · RI
Salud Carbajal
Democrat · CA
Nikki Budzinski
Democrat · IL
Sharice Davids
Democrat · KS
Angie Craig
Democrat · MN
André Carson
Democrat · IN
Morgan McGarvey
Democrat · KY
Recent Actions
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Committees (2)
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Full Bill Text
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View the complete legislative text on Congress.gov
Source: Congress.gov