June 3, 2009

Nevada Senator Harry Reid today introduced legislation designed to help members of the National Guard and Reserves. The bill would help service members and their families make ends meet while they are deployed -- when monthly active duty income is less than monthly civilian income. The new legislation provides an additional funding source for the Reserve Income Replacement Program. Taxpayers will have the option of contributing using their tax refunds.

Contributions to the fund will be tax deductible -- and can be a portion or the entire amount of a taxpayer's refund.

"Nevada alone has more than 3,000 Guardsmen and women, and 1,000 Reservists - many of whom work full-time jobs when they’re not on active duty," said Reid. "This bill would not only assist the Guard with monetary resources, but it would also rightfully focus more attention on the financial struggles that our brave and dedicated citizen Soldiers and Airmen undertake in defense of our country."

The legislation introduced by Senator Reid is the Voluntary Support for Reservists and National Guard Members Act of 2009.

To see Reid's remarks today about the bill, click here.