WASHINGTON — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced The Families of Fallen Servicemembers First Act to make certain fallen servicemembers’ families receive military death benefits, even during periods of government shutdowns.

 

When servicemembers perished during government shutdowns in 2013 and 2018, their families were initially denied military death benefits. This legislation would provide a permanent appropriation of funds to immediately pay military death benefits to survivors of servicemembers killed during any future government shutdown. The longstanding purpose of the military death gratuity payment is to assist families of deceased servicemembers in meeting their financial needs during the period immediately following a servicemember’s death and before other survivor benefits become available.

 

The benefits covered by this legislation include:

·         Death gratuities for survivors of deceased military service members;

·         Funeral and burial expenses;

·         Authorized funeral travel, including to dignified transfer ceremonies;

·         A temporary continuation of a basic allowance for housing (BAH) for dependents.

 

Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Tom Rooney (R-FL) introduced the same bill in the House of Representatives.

 

 “When our servicemembers make the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedoms, we must make certain no grieving family is subjected to delayed benefits due to Congressional stalemate,” said Senator Moran. “No Congressional disagreements should prevent our heroes’ families from quickly receiving the benefits they are owed. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and see it signed into law.”