Among all of the outrageous effects of the government shutdown, perhaps the most offensive is the withholding of a death benefit to the families of fallen troops. That benefit is used for funeral and travel expenses, among others. Military.com News reports:
The families of four soldiers and one Marine killed in Afghanistan over the weekend have been told that they will be denied death benefits while the government shutdown continues, leaving at least one mother in despair and disbelief. The families will also be denied travel re-imbursement should they choose to go to Dover Air Force Base, Del., for the solemn return of the caskets of their loved ones, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.
Marine combat veteran Rep. Duncan Hunter is leading the fight to restore the death benefit immediately, writing to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel today and appearing tonight on “The Kelly File.”
God bless Congressman Duncan Hunter for pursuing justice for the families of the fallen. Get your sorry ass moving,Hegel, fix DOD now.
— blankinglost (@blankinglost) October 9, 2013
https://twitter.com/sbethcarp/status/387746654838734848
Rep. Duncan Hunter: Obama denying death benefits, Dover flight to military families a "middle finger" to soldiers #shutdown
— Kristinn Taylor (@KristinnFR) October 9, 2013
Denying military death benefits? That is low class.
— Tony Katz (@tonykatz) October 9, 2013
Watching 'The Kelly File' on with Duncan Hunter re: the way this admin is treating our fallen heroes… I CAN"T STAND IT ANYMORE!!!
— pdxlady (@pdxnancy) October 9, 2013
Recommended
@RealJamesWoods Total lack of leadership in this country is so freaking OBVIOUS!! How can the White House not step in and make this happen?
— Bruce Hall (@brucehallsports) October 9, 2013
Rep Duncan Hunter Jr on no death benefits for mil families: It looks like to me the Dept of Defense needs more warriors and fewer lawyers
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/TroothBooth/status/387758756420808704
https://twitter.com/mallen2700/status/387758878701932544
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Update: It looks as though a fix could be passed in the House as early as tomorrow; unfortunately, the Senate and president would have to act as quickly to make a difference.
House releases text of DOD death benefits fix. Bill expected to come up as early as Wednesday. http://t.co/qA7puDa5Bi
— Pete Kasperowicz (@PeteKDCNews) October 9, 2013
House GOP has just confirmed, the DOD death benefits bill is up Wednesday. Click here for the text of the bill. http://t.co/qA7puDa5Bi
— Pete Kasperowicz (@PeteKDCNews) October 9, 2013