Keating Proposes Changes to Deployed Citizen Contract Law

William Richard Keating

WASHINGTON – Cape Cod’s Congressman has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives aimed at assisting citizens deployed overseas by the federal government.

The Deployed Citizen Parity Act would give civilians working for the Department of Defense in combat zones the ability to end leasing contracts back at home during their service period. Active military personnel are currently allowed terminate leasing contracts for homes, vehicles, and telephone services when they are deployed.

Rep. Bill Keating (D-Bourne) said the bill would fix a disparity under current law and would give more flexibility to citizens who serve our country abroad.

“Ask anyone who has served and they will tell you that our civilian service agents are critical to successful military operations,” said Keating. “This bill remedies a long-time inconsistency. Civilians deployed should be afforded the same ability to cancel contracts for services they will not need while serving overseas, thus lifting an unnecessary financial burden too many deployed civilians face.” 

“Deployed civilians too sacrifice for our country and we should honor their service by eliminating these undue burdens while they are protecting our freedoms,” Keating added.

The Department of Defense deploys thousands of civilians on a yearly basis to combat zones around the globe.

The bill has also garnered the support of Rep. Paul Cook, a Republican from California.

“Over my 26 years of military service I learned that National Defense is a team sport where government civilian support is critical,” Rep. Cook said. “This bill is not only about what is fair for those deploying, but it also improves a work environment that enables the Defense Department to retain and attract the most talented government civilians to meet our national defense needs.”