House passes service members death benefits bill

Bipartisan legislation to ensure that the families of American troops killed in action and all service members receive death benefits despite the government shutdown was unanimously passed today by the House, one day after Arizona Representative Ron Barber introduced the bill.

“I am gratified that despite our deep divisions on some matters, all members of the House today recognized that this is an issue that defines all of us as Americans,” Barber said today after passage of his legislation. “This legislation will ensure we honor our commitments to these fallen heroes and their families.”

The legislation requires that the military pay death benefits, reimbursement for funeral expenses and travel, survivors’ basic housing allowance and other expenses incurred because of the death of a service member.

H.J. Res 91, was passed unanimously, 425-0. It now heads to the Senate.

Barber also committed to finding a permanent fix to the problem, so that families never have to go without survivor benefits should the government be shut down in the future.

The legislation is supported by the American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, Servicewomen’s Action Network, AMVETS, Association of the United States Army, Reserve Officers Association, National Military Family Association, Fleet Reserve Association, the Retired Enlisted Association, Military Chaplains of the U.S.A. and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.