On Wednesday, October 9, 2013, the House will consider H.J.Res. 91, the Honoring the Families of Fallen Soldiers Act, under a suspension of the rules. The bill was introduced by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), on October 9, 2013.
H.J.Res. 91 provides for the immediate availability of money in the Treasury for death gratuities and related benefits for survivors of deceased military service members of the Department of Defense. Funds are to be made available through the end of Fiscal Year 2014.
On September 29, 2013, the House passed H.R. 3210, the Pay Our Military Act unanimously (See Roll Call 499). The legislation ensured that all military payments would be dispersed in the event of a lapse of appropriations. Death gratuities for families of deceased military service members were intended to be included in the bill. This legislation simply provides explicit authority to the Department of Defense to disburse these payments.
CBO estimates that enacting H.J.Res. 91 would result in a budget authority of approximately $150 million.
For questions or further information contact the GOP Conference at 5-5107.
