PROVIDES FUNDING FOR BODY ARMOR, ARMORED VEHICLES, AND ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR THE FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS KILLED IN THE WAR ON TERROR

Washington, Mar 16, 2005 - "As our troops continue to serve on the front lines in the War on Terror, it is essential that we provide them with the resources they need to complete their mission," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). This measure provides funding for ongoing military operations and for the equipment out troops need to protect themselves while fulfilling their duties."

The House today approved H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Wartime Appropriations Act, which provides $81 billion for ongoing operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the War on Terror, and for other programs requiring immediate funding. Noted Stearns, "This measure includes $75 million for 47,000 additional sets of body armor, $185 million for 1,700 more armored vehicles, and the full amount requested by the Army to create 10 additional combat brigades. The brave men and women in our military deserve our full support, and that should extend to their loved ones. On behalf of those who have lost a family member, this bill increases the maximum Servicemember Group Life Insurance benefit from $250,000 to $400,000, and the one-time death gratuity for combat fatalities from $12,000 to $100,000. In laying the groundwork for withdrawing American troops, it also includes $7 billion to train and equip Iraqi and Afghan forces to protect their own nations."