On Wednesday, January 12, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, introduced legislation (S. 3487) that would significantly boost death benefit gratuities and funeral allowances for federal employees who die in the line of duty. FMA National President Craig Carter was quoted in a press release upon introduction in support of the bill.

“This legislation would improve and expand unfair death gratuities for survivors of federal employees killed in the line of duty,” Carter said. “The current rates have not kept up with the times, staying static since 1997, and the funeral allowance hasn’t changed since 1966. This important legislation recognizes the dangers federal employees subject themselves to when serving their fellow Americans and will help ensure their families and loved ones will be treated fairly if they make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”

Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Ranking Member of the full Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) Committee, is the lead Republican cosponsor on the bill. HSGAC Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) are also original cosponsors. S. 3487 has been referred to the HSGAC Committee. To follow the progress of this bill, please click here.