Congressman Cole Offers Amendment to Protect Military Personnel

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Cole made an amendment on the House floor today that would protect important Military Death Gratuity Benefits and Service Group Life Insurance benefits. He offered the amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 1268) in order to protect language in the bill that would increase military benefits from being removed.

"I am glad that we were able to act in the best interests of our brave men and women in uniform who certainly deserve this increase in benefits. Without this amendment the language that provided additional benefits to our men and women in combat could have been easily stricken from the legislation," Congressman Cole said.

The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 1268) is expected to pass tomorrow in the House. Congressman Cole's amendment would protect sections 1113 and 1114 of the legislation, which would raise maximum coverage under the Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program from $250,000, to $400,000. It would also increase the military's death gratuity, which is paid to families of service members killed in the War on Terror, from $12,400 death gratuity to $100,000.

"These are important provisions for military families," said Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "We need to enact them as soon as possible and help the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror. Thanks to Congressman Cole and his position on the Rules Committee, these benefits will be delivered sooner rather than later."

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