One less worry for deployed troops

When a member of the military is deployed to a war zone, he or she has a lot to think about. In addition to their new military dangers and duties of the war zone, they have family concerns they never leave behind. Besides missing their loved ones, the issue of family finances is ever present.

When we send our people to war, we have a duty to eliminate as many of the problems as possible that result from sending them away from home. Ensuring our troops can concentrate on the mission at hand is of the highest importance, for their safety and their success. A bipartisan bill I am working on will go a long way toward easing one financial stress on our deployed active duty, reserve and guard members who are continuing or have furthered their education.

The way it is now, members of the military serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries abroad are charged interest on their U.S. Department of Education federal student loans while they are defending their country overseas. That doesn't make sense to me.

Student Loan Interest Put on Hold

This bill would prohibit interest from accruing on direct student loans when a service member is deployed to a war zone. Benefits would be significant for the average service member who would realize savings between $1,183 and $1,479 over the course of a 12-to 15-month deployment period. The bill would cost about $30 million, which seems like a good investment.

Members of the military are already putting most aspects of their lives on hold while they are making great sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy as a country. They should not have to bear a heavier financial burden because of their service. It's something that we, as a Nation, can provide to show our appreciation for those who serve their country.

Other Benefits for Deployed Service Members

In the past, Congress has worked to improve benefits for the families of those who serve overseas. We have increased the death gratuity benefit to $100,000. We've increased the life insurance benefits for servicemembers deployed to combat zones to $400,000 from $250,000. And we've permanently increased the pay rates for Imminent Danger Pay from $150 to $225 per month and the Family Separation Allowance from $100 to $250 per month.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I also introduced legislation, the Deployed Service Members Financial Security and Education Act, to improve benefits for military families by increasing the military pay schedule by up to $1000 per month during long-term deployments of active duty and military personnel. This proposal was signed into law as part of the Defense Authorization Act of 2005.

When our troops are deployed, financial concerns at home shouldn't weigh heavily on their minds. Americans are duty bound to honor their sacrifice by making life back home a little easier while they are protecting our country.

The Bottom Line

My bottom line is: When America sends Americans off to fight for our country our country should not be collecting interest on their student loans.