Obama expects to sign law soon
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 8:53 a.m.
Read more: Local, State, Military, Military, President Obama, Barack Obama, Military Spouses, Spouses, President
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress has sent President Barack Obama a bill that allows military spouses to claim residency in the same state as their wives or husbands.
Under current law, service members can choose to keep their original residency as they relocate.
Spouses who sought the change said having that same right would prevent hassles associated with every move, such as obtaining a new driver's license and reregistering to vote. In some cases, it also eliminates the need for couples to file separate tax returns and lowers the income taxes that some spouses pay.
Congressman John Carter, who represents Fort Hood, says the plan would give relief to military spouses who regularly uproot their lives to accommodate the Armed Forces.
Carter expects Obama to sign the legislation into law in the next few days.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
