Bill Nelson: “although we have accomplished much to be proud of in this Defense authorization bill, I am profoundly disappointed that…”

“although we have accomplished much to be proud of in this Defense authorization bill, I am profoundly disappointed that once again we have failed to eliminate the SBP-DIC offset. For the last 5 years I have been talking about the unfair and painful offset of the Defense Department's survivors benefits plan against Veterans Affairs' dependency and indemnity compensation, or DIC. This offset mistreats the survivors of our servicemembers who die on active duty now and our 100 percent disabled military retirees who purchased this benefit at the end of their careers. It is wrong, we know it, and the Senate has tried to fix it--but we have fallen short again. I have reminded the Senate of the Good Book's words, that in God's eyes the true measure of our faith is how we look after orphans and widows in their distress. And they are in distress. We are in a violent struggle around the world with brutal and vicious enemies. Sadly, Americans are lost every day. We must never forget that the families left behind by our courageous men and women in uniform bear the greatest pain. Their survivors' lives are forever altered; their futures left unclear. They suffer the enduring cost of the ultimate sacrifice, and the Nation that asked for that sacrifice must honor it. We are the ones who must recognize that the Nation has an obligation to those who give their lives for our country. This conference report does not include the Senate's provision to eliminate this offset.”