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Department of Defense Survivor Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014

Floor Speech

Date: Oct. 9, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Military Personnel Government Operations Government Budget and Spending

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I thank the chairman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, the Honoring the Families of Fallen Soldiers Act. This bill, as has been said, will ensure that the families of U.S. military members who have given the ultimate sacrifice will receive the benefits they were promised in spite of this unfortunate government shutdown.

The House has voted to take care of our warfighters by ensuring that they will be paid during the fiscal crisis, but our responsibility to our soldiers doesn't end there by any means.

As they put their lives on the line on behalf of this Nation, our brave soldiers shouldn't be concerned about who will take care of their families. That's part of our Nation's agreement with our men and women in uniform: You take care of the United States, and we will take care of you and your beloved family.

To this end, the bill allows continued funding to guarantee that the government honors its commitments to our military families without delay. It allows funding to provide a death gratuity to families of fallen soldiers. This is a lump payment to assist them in one of their greatest times of need.

The bill also allows for the customary financial assistance for funeral costs, family travel and housing, back salary payments, and living expenses. It's certainly the least we can do for those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The reality is we are a Nation at war. Wars don't stop just because our government is not functioning properly, nor do our obligations to our soldiers get put on pause while we work to clean things up.

To the families who have lost a son, a daughter, a sister, a brother, a husband, or a wife to war, this bill is our commitment to you that you should not have to suffer even more heartache after such a significant loss.

This legislation is the right thing to do. It should be passed without delay. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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