WP: Senators Seek Increase in Death Benefit For Soldiers

[DeepModem Mom]

Senators Seek Increase in Death Benefit For Soldiers
By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 22, 2005; Page A04


Senate leaders said yesterday they will push legislation to increase the death benefits for military personnel, retroactive to the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, which began in October 2001.

The one-time, tax-free $12,000 "death gratuity" paid to survivors of those killed in the line of duty would rise to $100,000 under legislation outlined by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and others. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) said he will offer a separate bill to allow the children of those killed in war to continue receiving health benefits.

Many House members also support a $100,000 death benefit, underscoring public concerns about the deaths, injuries and long tours of duties of troops in Iraq. A proposal for a $100,000 death benefit languished in the previous Congress, but several lawmakers said they expect it to pass this year....

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The senators said it was unclear how much the benefits package might cost. A retroactive $100,000 death gratuity would immediately cost about $150 million, they said, as about 1,500 U.S. military personnel have died in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27647-20...