U.S. Senators Jim Risch of Idaho and Angus King of Maine introduced the Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act on Mar. 17 to address a gap in funeral and burial benefits for veterans who die from service-connected disabilities.
The legislation aims to ensure that families of veterans who died as a result of their service receive equitable financial support for burial costs, matching recent increases provided for non-service-connected deaths. The issue arose after Congress passed a law in 2020 that increased and indexed burial benefits for non-service-related deaths, causing those benefits to surpass the capped amount available for service-connected deaths.
“Our nation’s veterans answered the call to serve and made incredible sacrifices for our freedoms,” said Risch. “My Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act ensures our veterans who are injured or wounded during their service are laid to rest with honor and dignity.”
King said, “Veterans who die as a result of their service to our nation deserve to be honored appropriately, and their families deserve our full support. Our Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act corrects an unintended disparity between service and non-service related deaths to even out the burial benefits for these veterans who served our country. On behalf of a grateful nation, it is the least we can do for these families.”
The proposed act would raise the benefit for service-connected deaths from $2,000 to $3,000 and apply inflation adjustments similar to those now used for non-service-connected cases. The bill has received backing from several organizations including the Idaho Division of Veteran Services, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Gold Star Spouses of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Funeral Directors Association, and TAPS.
Mark Tschampl, Director of Idaho Division of Veteran Services, said: “Honoring those who served our great nation should always be a priority, especially when a Veteran passes from a service-connected illness or injury. This Bill ensures we continue to honor those Veterans and ease the financial burden placed on grieving families when it is time to lay their Veteran to rest.” Tamra Sipes, National President of Gold Star Spouses of America added: “Gold Star Spouses of America strongly supports legislation introduced by Senator Jim Risch to amend Title 38 … While no financial benefit can ever compensate for the loss … this legislation recognizes the responsibility our nation holds … Ensuring that those who died as a result of their service are honored with dignity … is a matter of basic respect and gratitude.”
According to the official website, Risch has advocated for energy independence, Second Amendment rights, protection of Idaho agriculture and natural resources; he also achieved property tax reductions and increased funding for public schools according to the official website. He has served as U.S. Senator for Idaho since 2009 and chaired several Senate committees including Foreign Relations according to the official website. Risch resides on a ranch outside Boise with his family according to the official website.
Risch maintains offices across Idaho as well as in Washington D.C., providing constituent services throughout his state according to the official website. His career includes prior roles such as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney, Idaho State Senator, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor according to the official website.
