Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) introduced a bill Wednesday that would exempt military spouses from the Trump administration’s order that federal employees who work remotely return to the office.

“As a 25-year Army veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices military spouses make for our nation,” Vindman said in a joint press release about the Support Military Families Act. “I know that supporting military families is not a partisan issue, it is an American issue.

Wittman said his office talked to one constituent who relies on her remote federal job to support her military family.

“The ability to maintain consistent employment through military moves is essential for her family’s well-being, and remote work has made it possible for her to maintain her federal career despite the frequent relocations that come with military life,” Wittman said.

Even before the pandemic, federal agencies were working to offer more military spouses remote work opportunities to keep them employed after duty station changes.

Army photo of Wittman by Sgt. Eric Kestner