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  • From: tvoivozhd <tvoivozd AT infionline.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Homestead] Finally the families of dead grunts get something---not the paraplegics of course
  • Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2005 07:47:04 -0500

tvoivozhd---about time the grunts who make real sacrifices get something for their families---a fraction of what Bush superbribers pay for and get---gotta take of the rich first and forever, you know---carefully protect them from any sacrifice of their wealth or lives.



The New York Times
February 1, 2005
Bush to Seek Rise in Benefits for Survivors of Those Killed in War
By THE NEW YORK TIMES

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 - Momentum picked up on Monday for a significant increase in government payments to the families of American troops killed in combat zones.

In the 2006 budget proposal submitted to Congress next week, President Bush will recommend increasing the death benefit paid to survivors of military personnel killed in combat to $100,000, from $12,420, the Pentagon's personnel chief, David Chu, said in an interview with The Associated Press. The proposal also calls for $150,000 more in life insurance. "We can never in any program give someone back their loved one," said Mr. Chu, who will discuss the details of the proposal at a congressional hearing on Tuesday. "There is nothing we can do about the hurt, to make it go away. But we can make your circumstances reasonable, in terms of finances."

Besides raising the one-time death payment, which is separate from other benefits from survivors, the administration is proposing raising the amount of life insurance offered to all service members under the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance program from $250,000 to $400,000. Mr. Chu said that for troops in a combat zone, the government would pay premiums on the added coverage.

The administration proposal is in line with legislation introduced last Monday by Senator Jeff Sessions, Republican of Alabama.

The bill would make the benefit retroactive to October 2001 to cover those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. As of Monday, according to the Pentagon, 1,415 Americans had died in the Iraq war and 156 in Afghanistan and other locations that were deemed part of the campaign against terrorists.

When Congress first approved the one-time death gratuity in 1908, it was six months' pay, only a few hundred dollars. The amount was raised in 1956 to $1,800 to $3,000, depending on rank. In 1991, after the Persian Gulf war, it was raised to $6,000, half of it taxed. It is now tax=free and tied to military pay raises, reaching $12,420 on Jan. 1.

Senator Sessions' office said the Defense Department estimated his legislation would cost about $460 million in the first year.

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  • [Homestead] Finally the families of dead grunts get something---not the paraplegics of course, tvoivozhd, 02/01/2005

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