FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2001
CONTACT: Lisette Mondello
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL PASSED BY SENATE
INCLUDES HUTCHISON PROVISION TO EXTEND BENEFITS
FOR MILITARY KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate on Thursday passed a major defense bill that changes benefits for the families of military members killed in the line of duty to allow prorating the benefits to years of service. Currently only military members who have served 20 years or more are vested for retirement.
The provision included in the defense authorization conference report (S. 1438) builds on legislation introduced in June by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and attached as an amendment in October to the Senate bill. It is retroactive to September 10, 2001, to include those who died in the terrorists' attack on the Pentagon.
"On September 11, we were reminded again the supreme sacrifices our military make for us," Senator Hutchison said. "Right now, family members of anyone with less than 20 years of service get nothing in retirement benefits if their loved one dies in the line of duty unless the service member is ‘medically retired' before death."
Senator Hutchison said medical personnel now must sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to keep mortally wounded soldiers with fewer than 20 years service alive until paperwork can be pushed through to "medically retire" them so their surviving spouse and children can get benefits.
"This change in the law helps show our military how much we value them, and the sacrifices they and their families make for our freedom," Senator Hutchison said.
The bill introduced by Senators Hutchison and Inouye (S. 1037) was endorsed by the 31 organizations comprising the Military Coalition, including The Retired Officers Association, The National Military Family Association and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association.
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