REP. ANDREWS COSPONSORS BILL TO INCREASE MILITARY DEATH BENEFIT TO HONOR NATION'S FALLEN HEROES

Since 1908, the U.S. Department of Defense has provided the survivors of our servicemen and women killed in combat with a military death benefit. The gratuity, which was designed to prevent financial hardship by assisting grieving families with burial expenses, is a one-time payment awarded to the families immediately after a service member's s death. 
 
Although it is commendable that our nation affords the families of our fallen heroes with this gratuity, the $12,400 benefit presently available is not enough for the survivors of more than 1,400 Americans who have died in the Iraq War. For our nation's military widows and children, the existing monetary level of survivor benefits does not go far and often advances them into a state of poverty. To prevent any financial hardship to our nation's surviving families, we should enhance the support by increasing the survivor benefits.
 
That is why, I have co-sponsored Bill H.R. 377 "The Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service (Heroes) Act of 2005 to honor our nation's fallen heroes. This bill, if passed into law, would increase the death gratuity, a one-time, tax-free payment to the surviving spouse of a service person killed in the line of duty from $12,400 to $100,000. The bill also calls for the life insurance benefit to increase to $400,000. The current Servicemen's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) has only a maximum coverage of $250,000.  Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Department of Defense to cover the first $150,000 in coverage for all forces serving in a combat zone.
 
The time is long overdue for our nation's leaders to bring equity to the death and life insurance benefits on behalf of our fallen heroes who have so selflessly sacrificed their life for our country. While, the nation recognizes that our fallen heroes can never be returned home to their loved ones, the 109th Congress can make a positive difference by affording these families with a higher gratuity benefit to assist them financially with the transition of starting over without their fallen heroes.
 
I am honored to serve on the Armed Services Committee which allows me to specifically advocate for the grieving families of our fallen heroes and to ensure that they are provided with immediate financial assistance. To ensure that H.R. 377 is enacted into law, I will work earnestly with my fellow colleagues to request their support and co-sponsorship.

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