WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following transcript from her speech on the House floor this morning:

"There is a great injustice being done to our service members and their families. We learned last night that five brave American service members were killed over the weekend in Afghanistan while selflessly protecting our country. Normally the loved ones of these fallen warriors receive assistance in the form of benefits to help them as they make final arrangements for burial and other necessary preparations. Yet as a direct result of the political gridlock here in Washington - and despite legislation passed in the House last week - service members and their families are no longer receiving their benefits. Despite the government shut down, our service members are still expected to go to war and we should be expected to keep our promise to these grieving families. I am working as we speak to right this wrong and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same."

This morning, The Today Show reported on the benefits being denied to military families:

"The families of five U.S. service members who were killed over the weekend in Afghanistan have been notified that they won't be receiving the $100,000 benefit normally wired to relatives within 36 hours of the death. The “death gratuity” is intended to help cover funeral costs and help with immediate living expenses until survivor benefits typically begin. The money also helps cover costs to fly families to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to witness the return of their loved ones in flag-draped coffins."

Click here to watch Congresswoman Ellmers' floor speech from this morning.

Click here to read last week's article in the Fayetteville Observer on Congresswoman Ellmers' fight to get Fort Bragg employees paid and working during the shutdown.

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