U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz’s, R-Fla., proposal to expand benefits for Gold Star Families is gaining traction on Capitol Hill as a congressional caucus threw its support behind it.
Back in March, Waltz, the first Green Beret to serve in Congress and a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, introduced the “SFC Brian Woods Gold Star and Military Survivors Act” U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., are cosponsoring the proposal.
The bill was named after Army Sgt. 1st Class William B. Woods Jr., “who served with Waltz as an Army Green Beret and was killed on August 16, 2009 in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom,” the congressman’s office noted.
“The bill would: allow survivors that re-married to continue to have access to on-base facilities if they have dependent children; allow surviving spouses of service members who were killed while on duty to continue to receive DIC or SBP should they re-marry and ensures survivors that re-married before the bill becomes law are eligible to collect benefits moving forward; direct the Pentagon to pay the transportation costs of remains for those killed in combat back to their hometown for any memorial services and to a national cemetery of the surviving family’s choice (current law only authorizes one trip); and authorize the Pentagon to extend the existing childcare service assistance program (for civilian providers) to survivors of service members that die in the line of duty,” Waltz’s office added.
This week, the For Country Caucus, which Waltz helped found and currently serves as vice chairman, endorsed the proposal without opposition.
“The moment a family hears a knock on the door initiating them into the Gold Star community is a moment which changes their lives forever,” Waltz said on Wednesday morning. “These families deserve the most meaningful commitment we can give them to honor their loved one’s sacrifice for our freedom and security. I’m grateful the For Country Caucus is joining me to support these families with this important legislation.”
“Families of our fallen servicemembers confront many challenges. We should be enacting policies that lessen their hardships and honor the memory of their sacrifice,” said U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., who chairs the caucus. “Ahead of Memorial Day, the For Country Caucus is demonstrating our shared commitment to serving our nation’s Gold Star families.”
“Military families are bound by the solemn truth that service often carries a terrible price. As a veteran who has presented flags to the families of our fallen teammates, I believe our great nation can and should do more,” said Bacon who is a vice chairman of the caucus. “Those that commit their lives to our security deserve more than our thanks – they deserve our commitment. For this reason, I am proud to stand with the members of the For Country Congressional Caucus in endorsing Representative Waltz’s bill which strengthens this commitment.”
“As a nation, we are forever indebted to our Gold Star families, the families of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms,” said U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Penn., who is a vice chairwoman of the caucus. “I’m honored to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation that would guarantee Gold Star families receive their earned benefits and not be subjected to harmful tax hikes. What they gave for this country can never be repaid; We must do all we can to support them.”
Kevin Derby can be reached at Kevin.Derby@floridadaily.com.
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