Tina Smith: “America's service men and women continue to make the ultimate sacrifices for our Nation. In the tragic cases where brave…”

“America's service men and women continue to make the ultimate sacrifices for our Nation. In the tragic cases where brave soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors lose their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, we must honor their service by ensuring that their families are not forced to shoulder undue financial strain. Therefore, I am honored to introduce the Fallen Heroes Family Savings Act. This legislation will increase the flexibility given to families while managing the death gratuity payment to the survivors of fallen service men and women. This bill will provide these families expanded financial options to invest the $100,000 death gratuity payment in health, education, and retirement savings accounts. Allowing families to transfer these funds will help them save money for a college education, medical expenses, or to finance a future retirement. Allowing military families increased financial flexibility is the least we can do to honor the legacy our troops have worked so hard to create. It is my hope that this legislation will assist the families of fallen service men and women in their time of grief and allow them to plan for their future. I ask for unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the following letter from the Military Officers Association of America in support of this legislation.…”