Bill Boosts Survivor Benefits for Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty
New legislation introduced on Capitol Hill would increase and standardize benefits for survivors of civil servants killed in the line of duty.
The Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act was introduced by Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).
The legislation raises the one-time benefit paid to survivors of a civil servant killed in the line of duty from the current $10,000 to $100,000. That brings the benefit more in line with what is paid to survivors of military and foreign service members killed in the line of duty. The civil servant survivor benefit has been held at $10,000 since the 1990s.
The bill also raises the amount provided for funeral expenses from $800 to $8,000. It has remained at $800 since the 1960s.
“For too long, families of civil servants who give their lives in service to our nation have been denied proper benefits upon the deaths of their loved ones,” said Rep. Connolly. “That must change.”
The legislation also does the following:
· Provides automatic cost-of-living adjustments to death and funeral benefits provided to survivors.
· Expands the scope of who qualifies as a beneficiary.
· Clarifies who qualifies as a federal civil servant.
· Ensures that agencies treat the benefit as mandatory and not discretionary.
The legislation garnered support across the board from federal employee groups with the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Senior Executives Association (SEA), the Professional Managers Association (PMA), and the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (NAAUSA) among those supporting the bill.
“Every day federal law enforcement officers and agents are the targets of attack by terrorist, criminals, and hostile actors at home and abroad. In the last year, threats against federal law enforcement have risen dramatically. Unfortunately, if one of these threats materializes into a tragic fatality, the federal government lacks a uniform death benefits system to ensure the brave officer or agent who sacrificed their life is compensated. This gap in the law has devastating consequences for family members who must now face financial and emotional strain at the same time. This legislation solves that problem to ensure all survivors of federal employees killed in the line of duty are entitled to equal and robust financial benefits to honor their lost public servants,” said Larry Cosme, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.
“In the last five years, the Department of Justice reported more than 100 death threats against AUSAs and their families. Attorney General Garland has reported significant increases in these threats in the last year and, unfortunately, federal prosecutors have reported being harassed and assaulted by criminal defendants to our organization. It is critical the federal government honors and supports any federal employee who is subjected to attack for their official position. This legislation establishes a uniform regime for compensating those who make the ultimate sacrifice. It is a necessary reform that recognizes the unwavering dedication of federal personnel,” said Steve Wasserman, President of the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (NAAUSA).
“The families of federal employees who die on the job should receive survivor benefits that reflect the employees’ service and sacrifice, and this proposal honors their memories by updating and expanding those benefits,” said Doreen Greenwald, National NTEU President.
“Surviving family members of federal workers who die in the line of duty should receive fair and full benefits. We’re honoring their sacrifice to keep our country safe and secure,” said Senator Sinema, a member of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee.