Moran Supports Efforts to Assist Military Families

MORAN SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO ASSIST MILITARY FAMILIES

Sponsors Legislation to Increase Survivor Benefits

Washington D.C. — Congressman Jerry Moran sponsored legislation that will increase the financial assistance paid to the families of soldiers killed while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, when a service member is killed in the line of duty, their surviving family members receive $12,420 for assistance with immediate financial needs. Moran's legislation increases this benefit to $100,000 and is retroactive to service members killed while serving on active duty since September 11, 2001.

"You can never put a price on the lives of those who die in the service of their country," Moran said. "However, this legislation will help better express our nation's gratitude to the soldiers and the families for paying the ultimate price in defending our freedom. It is my hope that the House and Senate will take quick action on this legislation to honor the survivors of our fallen soldiers by ensuring their financial stability."

The Military Death Benefit Improvement Act, H.R. 292, would increase the one-time, tax-free death gratuity payment to survivors of service members killed in the line of duty. Efforts to increase death payments have received strong bipartisan support and will likely be included in President Bush's 2006 budget.

"I have visited our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and can tell you that they are truly our nations' heroes," Moran said. "Increasing this assistance is not about money, but about preserving the memory of these heroes and providing for their families."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ks01_moran/nr010105MilitaryDeathBenefit.html