Gwen Moore Honors the Families of Fallen Soldiers
Washington, DC,
October 9, 2013
Our service members and their families deserve full and immediate government support, not day-to day or half-baked solutions.
Contact: Staci Cox (202) 225- 4572 Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) voted to support the families of fallen soldiers. She released this statement: “My heart continues to break for every family who has lost a loved one in service to this nation. These families are traditionally given funds within 36 hours to support funeral costs and other expenses. Yet, due to the government shutdown, five families did not receive this pay, including the next of kin to one of my constituents. Denying these funds is more than devastating, it’s an affront to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and democracy. The last thing that these families need is more pain and suffering enacted by their government. “I recently cosponsored legislation to ensure that funding for survivor benefits for families of fallen military members is not another casualty of this shutdown. Today, I voted for passage. I know that rectifying this tragic misstep is a priority for Senator Tammy Baldwin as well. I hope she is able to work with her colleagues in the Senate to move this legislation and correct this injustice quickly. “I am proud that my colleagues in the House were able to join together to support continuing these essential benefits. Yet today’s vote is not enough. According to an NBC News Report, Republican aides believed the military appropriations bill funded death gratuities. It did not. It is becoming increasingly evident that a piecemeal approach to funding our federal government is inadequate. We passed legislation to pay our military and the Defense Department civilian employees who support them, but we provided limited authority to pay for supplies, parts and the fuel they need to do their jobs. Our service members and their families deserve full and immediate government support, not day-to day or half-baked solutions. “In truth, all Americans deserve vital services, programs and benefits that our government provides. Poverty-stricken children relying on Head Start, veterans in search of assistance, cancer patients looking for a last hope all deserve our support. We must reopen our government. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with Democrats and end this government shutdown.” ### For “Moore” News Updates Follow Gwen Moore on Twitter @RepGwenMoore and Like Gwen Moore on Facebook |
