Walter B. Jones: “I actually got involved with H.R. 3973 2 or 3 months ago when I learned that the tax was on the death gratuity of our…”

“I actually got involved with H.R. 3973 2 or 3 months ago when I learned that the tax was on the death gratuity of our military; and I worked both sides of the political aisle. We had over 110 sponsors for that legislation, because all of us were surprised that there was still that tax on the death gratuity. So I want to compliment the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this legislation forward. I am pleased to say, as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Johnson), who was a former POW, said, that we have so many wonderful men and women in uniform who serve this Nation and are willing to be called to give their life for America at any time; and to eliminate this death tax, death gratuity tax, on the family after they have lost a loved one is absolutely the right thing to do. It should be, as it is to my colleagues, unacceptable that this death gratuity tax is in the law now, but we are going to eliminate that with the passage of this legislation.”