1
111TH CONGRESS
2ND SESSION S. 6
To allocate additional funding for the wounded care of military personal and assure the families
of the wounded patriots will be satisfied financially.
IN THE SENATE
NOVEMBER 1, 2011
Mr. WEBB (for himself and Mr.
BROWN) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the
committee on International Relations,
Armed Services, and Homeland Security.
A BILL
To allocate additional funding for the care of military personal families during times of death
caused during active duty and assure that the families of the fallen soldiers will be satisfied
financially.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
2 the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the “Support Families of Fallen
5 Soldiers Act”
6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
7 The Congress finds that—
2
1 (1) During times of distress, families of soldiers
2 who have been killed in active duty, should
3 be compensated accordingly. An increase
4 on the current death benefit is needed due to
5 the rising costs of living. Spouses who are
6 left to raise families alone because their
7 significant other has been killed or seriously
8 injured should receive substantial payment
9 in gratitude for their partners service to
10 his/her country. Currently, the death
11 benefits of $100,000 is not substantial
12 enough. Congress shall fund these death
13 benefit increases during these rough
14 economic times in our country. Funds
15 earmarked for death benefits should go to
16 help the family during their time of distress.
17 SEC. 3. ENACTMENTS.
18 Congress shall enact an increase in the death benefit for soldiers
19 killed in active duty. The payment shall be increased to a payment
20 of $250,000. The family should receive compensation under the
21 same deadlines as the previous death benefit. The payment should
22 be made with in 24 hours of the soldier’s death. The beneficiary
3
1 will be determined by the soldier. It is possible to have multiple
2 beneficiaries and for them to only receive a certain percentage of
3 the funds; however that is up to the discretion of the soldier prior
4 to their active service. Beneficiaries will be chosen by the soldier
5 before he/she reports to duty. Increasing the death benefit for
6 soldier’s families to receive, will aid in their many expenses as
7 well as make sure they are comfortable enough to take care of any
8 children the soldier may have had.
9 SEC. 4. DATE OF ENACTMENT.
10 Congress should make this new change to the death benefit
11 effective immediately. Any soldier who is killed from the date this
12 legislation is signed into law shall receive the increased benefit.
13 There will be no back pay to the families who received the original
14 amount.