U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Alabama, praised the unanimous passage of a bill that authorizes the funding for military death benefits for families of fallen soldiers.
“Those who gave the last measure of devotion for this country deserve every measure of respect from its government,” Rep. Roby said. “I was proud to vote to restore funding for benefits we provide to families of fallen soldiers, and I’m proud that the House vote was unanimous. Political disagreements in Washington should never get in the way of our most solemn duty: supporting and honoring our military men and women and their families.”
The “death gratuity” benefit is a $100,000 pension sent to families of military members who were killed during the service of their country. Last week, Congress authorized the Pay Our Military Act to make sure that active-duty soldiers and civilian support staff are paid for their services.
Rep. Roby said she doesn’t know why the Pentagon denied the death coverage benefits from the legislation.
“The temporary shutdown of the government isn’t good for anybody, but we can come together to fund essential services even during this situation. The Pay Our Military Act and the Honoring the Families of Fallen Soldier Act are two of the 12 stopgap funding bills passed by the House, and there’s more to come,” Roby said. “While we continue to look for ways to end the shutdown for good, I urge the Senate and President Obama to get behind our additional funding bills so that Americans don’t unnecessarily suffer during this political stalemate in Washington.”
The House has also passed the Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act, and the Open Our National Parks and Museums Act, among several others.
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