Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA)



The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, MSRRA, was introduced by Congressman John Carter (Texas) during the 110th Congress. The MSRRA was written to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, to include protection of Military Spouses, with regards to voting, property and taxes, and provide equitable treatment of Military Spouses.

Congressman Carter sponsored the bill after two Military Spouses, Army Spouse Rebecca Noah Poynter and Navy Spouse Joanna Williamson, approached him about residency concerns resulting from military moves and increasing deployments due to the War on Terrorism. Military Spouses were required to become a resident of the state where they resided in contrast to service members that could maintain a home state.

During the bills life in the 110th United States Congress, H.R. 6070 had 72 co-sponsors. It is believed that the bill could have passed during the 110th Congress but due to the housing crisis in 2008 it was quickly dismissed.

On February 25, 2009 of the 111th United States Congress, Congressman Carter reintroduced MSRRA; H.R. 1182.

Senator Richard Burr introduced the companion bill, S. 475, to the Senate Committee of Veterans' Affairs on February 25, 2009. Rebecca Poynter testified at the Senate Committee of Veterans' Affairs in April. May 7, 2009 MSRRA passed a Senate floor vote.

During the Congressional bill process, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) was the lead Veteran organization with these organizations also in support:
 * American Legion
 * Veterans of Foreign Wars
 * Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
 * Air Force Sergeants Association
 * Paralyzed Veterans of America
 * AMVETS
 * Vietnam Veterans of America

Enactment
During the bills life in the House, H.R. 1182 had 208 co-sponsors. It was on its way for full House Veterans' Affairs Committee vote when S. 475 was signed into law.

The bill S. 475 had 44 co-sponsors. It passed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and passed during House floor debate on November 2, 2009.

A team from the Military Spouse Business Association, Rebecca Noah Poynter, Joanna Williamson, Rikki Winters, Lynn Carroll, Lanette Lepper, and Kara Acosta, led a support campaign to include a Facebook site of military families. The grassroots and virtual Facebook social media campaign built to 22,000 allowing public support from military families across the country to be expressed to legislators. Military Spouses and supporters across the nation (Pete Seidler, Cynthia Wass Shepard, Carolyn Duft LeVering, Susan Cross Johnston, David Etheridge) volunteered virtually to increase support by contacting Senate and House Offices, and answering questions.

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, President Barack Obama signed Public Law 111-97.

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, issued a Press Release after he signed the bill. The Military Times called the bill "landmark legislation" for military families.

Sponsors

 * Congressman John Carter
 * Senator Richard Burr
 * Senator Dianne Feinstein

Support

 * MOAA.
 * Military Spouse Business Association
 * AMVETS.
 * VFW.
 * The American Legion
 * Paralyzed Veterans of America
 * Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
 * Air Force Association
 * Vietnam Veterans of America.
 * Air Force Sergeants Association
 * Military Spouses Coalition

Coalition
Military Spouses and supporters gathered together on Facebook to build the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act Coalition. The group of 8,000 Facebook fans collaborated every day on Surge Senate and Surge Congress.

The Coalition was organized by the same two Military Spouses that approached Congressman Carter.

Through the work of the Coalition, support of various Veterans Service Organizations and the sponsors of the bill, MSRRA was signed into law.

The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act Coalition posted a Thank You to all supporters and recognized certain Military Spouses who lead the Coalition.

                   
 * ''VETERANS DAY 2010 - One year ago today the MILITARY SPOUSES RESIDENCY RELIEF ACT (MSRRA) was signed into law by President Barak Obama.
 * ''THE MSRRA was a successful JOINT CAMPAIGN by Military Spouses across the country who came together through Facebook to ask Congress for a home state.
 * ''In 2009, our bill was one of nearly 9800 to be introduced by Congress and of those only 1%, about 125, became law.
 * ''The bill started from spouses who formed the Military Spouse Business Association discussing what could ease the unique demands on our lives which increase substantially with each military move and deployment.
 * ''The bill originated in 2008 at the petition of Navy Spouse Joanna Williamson and Army Spouse Rebecca Poynter, who asked Congressman John Carter (who covers Fort Hood, TX) for the MSRRA.
 * ''In early 2009, Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina introduced the MSRRA in the Senate. MOAA joined with us to start knocking on doors.
 * ''Navy Spouse Rikki Winters, established the Facebook site and Marine Spouse Kara Acosta, designed our logo. Every day, hundreds of Military Spouses joined in to spread the word, give feedback and take action.
 * ''In the summer, Navy Spouses Lanette Lepper and Rikki Winters and Army Spouse Lynn Carroll, led the TAKE THE HILL campaign, pressing representatives for their needed support.
 * ''Dozens of Military Spouses volunteered virtually to increase support.
 * ''During Congressional hearings these Veteran organizations spoke up for us and deserve our gratitude:
 * ''American Legion
 * ''VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
 * ''Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA)
 * ''Air Force Sergeants Association
 * ''Paralyzed Veterans of America
 * ''AMVETS (American Veterans)
 * ''MOAA
 * ''VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America)
 * ''AFA (Air Force Association)
 * ''Then in November the MSRRA passed. The law was a major platform for Military Spouses to speak for themselves on an issue they deemed important and a victory for our civil rights.
 * THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND EFFORT FOR ALL MILITARY SPOUSES.

The following Military Spouses were key in answering questions on the MSRRA Facebook Page: Pete Seidler, Cynthia Wass Shepard, Carolyn Duft LeVering, Susan Cross Johnston, David Etheridge