WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement following the passage of H.J.Res. 91 this afternoon, of which she was an original co-sponsor:

"This afternoon, I was honored to join my colleagues and vote to restore vital benefits to the families of our fallen heroes. The fact that these benefits were delayed has been a great injustice to our service members and their families. We have a duty to rise above the political games being played here in Washington and do the right thing. Even as the government remains 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 call on Senator Reid to act immediately on this legislation and work with us to bring an end to the government shutdown."

Yesterday, 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 on this from yesterday.

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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