CONGRESSMAN TERRY EVERETT TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE COMBAT DEATH BENEFITS
"Heroes Act Needed to Adequately Compensate Military Families for Combat Loss"
Congressman Terry Everett, R-Alabama, will introduce legislation when the House reconvenes later this month to enhance death benefits for military service members who lose their lives in combat. Everett says the legislation, known as the Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service (HEROES) Act, is needed to adequately compensate military families for the combat loss of their loved ones who are defending America.
Congressman Everett, chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on Strategic Forces, called the Heroes Act the least that the nation could do to honor those who give their lives in defense of freedom.
"America is at war and our men and women in uniform are currently risking and giving their lives for us," Everett said. "In return, our government is only paying a gratuity death benefit of $12,000 to the families who lose a loved one in combat.
"How can you tell a young widow with a family to care for that she will only receive a gratuity death benefit of $12,000 for the combat loss of her husband?" Everett asked. "This is unacceptable."
"In response, I am introducing in the House the Heroes Act to increase the gratuity death benefit from $12,000 to $100,000, and my legislation will also increase the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance maximum coverage from $250,000 to $400,000," Everett added.
"Our military personnel need to know that America is prepared to stand behind them and their families as they go into battle and I believe this increase of gratuity and life insurance benefits will send them a strong signal of our support."
Congressman Everett's legislation is the House companion to a Senate bill also slated for introduction this month by Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama.
The Heroes Act would apply to military personnel losing their lives in combat, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.
Furthermore, the Heroes Act would make retroactive payments of $238,000 to the families of those military personnel who've already lost their lives in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. This amount comes from the $88,000 increase over the present $12,000 gratuity payment was as well as the $150,000 increase that would have been available to the soldier's family through Service Members Group Life Insurance.
"I plan to aggressively push the Heroes Act when Congress returns," Everett noted. "This legislation will give our military personnel and their families greater comfort as they are called upon to defend America."
