Van Hollen Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Cut Out-of-Pocket Costs for National Guard Members and Reservists Traveling to Training and Drills

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to introduce the bipartisan Savings for Servicemembers Act, which helps servicemembers save on travel expenses.

"Marylanders who serve in the National Guard should be commended for their service, but too many are burdened by travel expenses to get to and from their required trainings," said Senator Van Hollen. "They shouldn't have to shoulder the expenses they incur by simply doing their jobs. This bipartisan bill is a commonsense way to make the system fairer for those who make great sacrifices for our nation."

Each month, members of the National Guard travel to complete their required duty training, and they typically pay for travel out of their own pocket. Currently, members can only claim their mileage and other travel expenses on their taxes if they had to travel more than 100 miles from their residence for training or if travel expenses exceeded two percent of a soldier's adjusted gross income

The Savings for Servicemembers Act would reduce the travel minimum to 50 miles, aligning treatment of the National Guard and Reservists with federal workers who have a 50 mile minimum for travel compensation, and help reduce the cost of service to those in the Guard and Reserves. The legislation is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States.