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Our military service members proudly raise their right hand and swear to defend our country, and in return, they deserve to keep every cent of the bonuses they earn. But unfortunately, that’s not the case. It’s about time we remove the unfair tax burden that has long affected military bonuses and let our soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians keep more of their hard-earned money.
Under current law, service members are taxed at their marginal tax rate for these bonuses, while those deployed in combat zones are exempt from tax. Today, I introduced the No Tax on Military Bonuses Act, which would exempt all enlistment and reenlistment bonuses paid to members of the U.S. Armed Forces from taxation. This would significantly reduce the financial strain military families face.
The bill would cover all bonuses paid by the Secretary of the Armed Forces to members who agree to reenlist, extend their service commitment, or accept a commission as an officer.
Service members put their lives on the line to protect us. The least we can do is make sure they keep the money they earn.
As a father of four, I understand firsthand the importance of ensuring every child has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed—because success looks different for every student. My wife and I chose to homeschool our kids for several years, allowing us to personalize their curriculum and provide incredible learning experiences, like exploring social studies firsthand by traveling to Washington, D.C. with me. It was absolutely the right choice for our family at that time.
When NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, arrived at the International Space Station in June, they expected to stay for maybe a few weeks. Instead, they spent an unexpected nine months in space after issues with their Boeing Starliner prevented their return.
Serving our nation is a profound sacrifice.
Men and women in uniform willingly leave behind their loved ones and livelihoods to protect our country. Unfortunately many veterans come home facing new challenges, especially in accessing proper healthcare.
That’s why I introduced the Veterans Homecare Choice Act—a simple fix to ensure bureaucratic red tape doesn’t prevent veterans from living independently.
Homecare professionals provide critical support, from occupational therapy to housekeeping. Many veterans rely on independent contractors through nurse registries—a service the VA once reimbursed.
Previously, the VA reimbursed veterans for homecare services from independent contractors via nurse registries, which connect professionals with clients. After 2018, only W-2 homecare agencies qualified for reimbursement.
This bill fixes an oversight in the current legislation and ensures bureaucratic red tape does not deprive veterans of the ability to live independently in their own homes as they age. By restoring veterans’ access to homecare professionals operating as independent contractors, the lives of tens of thousands of veterans and their families will be improved.
I’ll continue to advance common sense policies that support veterans in Florida’s 21st District, and across the country. Ensuring that those who have worn the uniform can access the care that they have earned is the least we can do.
Read the bill here: