Members of Congress affected by experience as military spouses

Military spouses, he added are "probably the most unsung hero part of the military." Rep. Thomas Rooney, of Florida's 16th district, is also a former military spouse

Members of Congress affected by experience as military spouses
May 7, 2009

By C. Todd Lopez

Two members of Congress who've lived the life of a military spouse say the experience has better helped them understand the military family and helps them connect better with those who serve.

(Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona and Rep. Thomas Rooney Florida)

Rooney said he is working on legislation now that helps military spouses better deal with some of the stresses they face when Soldiers come home -- specifically dealing with PTSD.

"Our bill would make it a lot easier to identify what the needs are of each individual warfighter when they get home," he said. "A large part of it was to assist the spouses who really have to deal with it in a way they probably never anticipated.

"I think the first or second bill I sponsored was directly written because of my concern for military spouses -- with PTSD. I talked to a lot of women who when their husband got home, whatever level of stress they may have had, they were not ready to deal with that. And so I just thought if as a Congress we can make it easier on them by making (more accessible) whatever care the returning warfighter is going to get ... then all the better."
Members of Congress affected by experience as military spouses