Senate Unanimously Approves Clinton Amendment to Increase Burial Travel Allowances for Military Families

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Amendment Included as Part of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act

September 19, 2007 -- Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today welcomed unanimous Senate approval of an amendment to the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act she introduced to increase burial travel allowances for families of deceased servicemembers. The amendment requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to authorize burial travel allowances for minor siblings of a deceased servicemember, and when necessary, provide burial travel allowances for the person authorized to direct the disposition of the remains."I am pleased that the Senate has approved this much needed provision. Families suffering the loss of a loved one while serving their country so bravely should not be burdened with additional financial hardships," said Senator Clinton. "This amendment will close the gap that currently exists in burial travel allowances, and provide comfort to families during the difficult grieving period."

Senator Clinton’s amendment would authorize minor siblings of deceased servicemembers to travel to burial services at government expense. Currently, only spouses, dependent children, and parents of deceased servicemembers are authorized burial travel allowances; while travel for minor siblings of the deceased servicemember is either paid out of pocket, or with emergency funds provided by DoD.

In some instances the emergency fund approval process has been untimely, causing a delay in travel plans or an absence of a family member. Additionally, DoD requires servicemembers to designate an individual responsible for burial arrangements as the “Person Authorized to Direct Disposition.” This person can be a spouse, parent, or another blood relative, however only spouses and parents are authorized burial travel allowances. Travel for a blood relative who is serving as the “Person Authorized to Direct Disposition”, and who is not a spouse or parent of the deceased servicemember, must pay out of pocket or apply for emergency funds to travel to the burial they are responsible to arrange.

Senator Clinton has made it one of her top priorities to ensure that our brave men and women in uniform and their families have the best quality of life and support they need, most recently securing a series of measures in the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act approved unanimously by the Senate. The final FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act awaits full Senate passage.

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton