Lawmakers Back Military Death Benefit Halted by Shutdown

[Purveyor]

By Timothy R. Homan - Oct 9, 2013

Death benefits for the survivors of U.S. military personnel would be renewed under legislation that House leaders plan to take up today after the payments were halted by the partial federal shutdown.

“It’s disgraceful that they’re withholding these benefits, but again tomorrow the House is going to act specifically on this, and I hope the president will sign it,” House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, said yesterday at a news conference on Capitol Hill.

When most government funding ended Oct. 1 in a standoff between President Barack Obama and House Republicans, the Pentagon stopped paying the $100,000, tax-exempt “death gratuity” that’s intended to provide immediate cash to the survivors of U.S. military personnel.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the legal authority to make those payments” until government funding resumes, Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale told reporters on Oct. 5. He said emergency legislation that provided for military personnel to continue receiving their pay lacked provisions authorizing the death benefit.

In addition to the $100,000 death payment, the military has halted benefits for survivors, including burial expenses and travel to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive the remains of loved ones, according to Navy Lieutenant Commander Nate Christensen, a Pentagon spokesman.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-08/lawmakers-back-military-death-benefit-halted-by-shutdown.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. The only buck that stops with John has a corporate name on it

[TwilightGardener]

2. The Pentagon isn't witholding the benefits, Boner. YOU ARE, WITH YOUR SHUTDOWN.

What a lame and naked attempt to pass blame.