TAPS Advocates for All Military Survivors
TAPS exists to support all those grieving a death in the military and veteran community, regardless of where or how the death occurred. A critical piece of that commitment is advocating for improvements in programs and services provided by federal, state, and local governments. Our team is dedicated to empowering survivors to use their voices to spark change while working closely with government leaders and lawmakers to advance policy and legislation that impacts life after unspeakable tragedy.
Message your legislators with your own story and advocate our top legislative priorities: the Love Lives On Act and the Caring for Survivors Act.
For more information on TAPS Military Survivor Advocacy, contact us at policy@taps.org.
Advocacy Week
Statements 
Advocacy Week - September 23 to 26, 2024
Surviving families from all over the country come to Capitol Hill every September for TAPS Gold Star Families Advocacy Week. Surviving families walk the halls of Congress to help build support for TAPS legislative priorities. Survivors share their powerful stories and lead the way to change for the entire military survivor community.
You can take action from home by sending a message to your legislators with your own story and advocating for our top legislative priorities: the Love Lives On Act and the Caring for Survivors Act.
Follow TAPS on X (Twitter) during the event to keep current on what is happening!
Read TAPS Press Release on Gold Star Families Advocacy Week.
See photos from the Congressional Reception and Meetings with Legislators on Capitol Hill
Current Legislative Priorities
End the Remarriage Penalty
A top priority for TAPS is to secure the right for surviving spouses to remarry at any age and and not forfeit loss of financial benefits such as education, medical care, commissary and exchange benefits.
Improve Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
TAPS is working with Congress to pass the Caring for Survivors Act, to bring Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments in line with benefits for surviving spouses of federal employees.
Treat Suicide as a Presumptive Service-Connected Cause of Death for Veterans
TAPS has been on the front lines of suicide postvention efforts to support military families grieving deaths by suicide, and supports prioritizing mental health care for both veterans and survivors.
Provide Tricare and Champva Young Adult Coverage in Parity With The Affordable Care Act
TAPS supports the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act which would allow TRICARE young adults to remain on their parents' policy up to age 26.
Ensure Implementation of the PACT Act
TAPS is the leading voice for the families of those who died as a result of toxic exposure illnesses, is co-chair of the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition, and is working to ensure proper implementation.
Create One Gi Bill for All Veterans, Survivors and Families
TAPS long-term goal is to bring all survivors into the Fry Scholarship and phase out the Vietnam Era Dependents Education Assistance (Chapter 35).
Ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs Collect Cause of Death Data
Collecting cause of death data will help provide necessary care and programs for surviving families, as well as research into suicide prevention, toxic exposures, and illnesses of many veterans.
Protect And Preserve Commissary and Exchange Benefits
TAPS urges Congress to continue to preserve Commissary benefits, maintain funding for Exchanges and allow surviving spouses who remarry under 55 to retain their benefits.
Related Articles and Videos
PACT Act Benefits for Veterans and Survivors
TAPS worked with fellow veteran service organizations and advocates to pass the comprehensive bipartisan law signed on August 10, 2022.
TAPS Statement for the Record
Bonnie Carroll presented TAPS Statement for the Record before the Committees On Veterans' Affairs United States Senate and House of Representatives.
Agency Over Agent Orange
When a loved one's illness comes years after military service, survivors can feel disconnected from military & veteran support services. TAPS is here to help navigate this journey with you.
Surviving Military Spouses Axed the Widow's Tax
Several members of the TAPS Family key to efforts that ultimately axed the Widow's Tax share about their work on this historic legislation.