WASHINGTON (November 3, 2009)—Congress sent a bill to the president Monday that will allow military spouses to claim residency in the same state as their wives or husbands.

Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, whose district includes Fort Hood, introduced the measure in 2008 and again in 2009.

Under current law, service members can choose to keep their original residency as they relocate.

Spouses say having that same right would prevent hassles associated with every move such as getting a new driver's license and reregistering to vote.

Moving is a ritual repeated nearly every three years on average for military families.

The U.S. House passed the bill on a voice vote Monday.

The U.S. Senate approved it earlier.

”This is fantastic news for our service families worldwide,” Carter said.

“We should have done this long ago, but at least we are now on track to have a new law in 2009.”