Bipartisan Coalition Of Senators And Representatives Asks President To ‘Unlock’ Hometown Heroes Bene

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Source: Sen Leahy's office

In Three And A Half Years Since Act Became Law, Only 6 Claims Approved

WASHINGTON (June 7) – A bipartisan group of 101 Members of Congress – led by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) – Thursday asked President Bush to direct the Department of Justice to award benefits authorized by Congress under the Hometown Heroes Survivor Benefits Act. More than three and a half years after the bill -- first introduced by Etheridge in the House and Leahy in the Senate -- became law, the Justice Department has approved only six claims out of nearly 260 applications.

“We find it unacceptable that this situation remains unresolved, especially since many of these claims have been held up for more than three years,” said Leahy. “It is time for the President to direct the Department of Justice to award the families of brave public safety officers who die from heart attacks or strokes their rightful benefits under the law by expediting all of the outstanding claims.”

“The bureaucratic foot-dragging must end. Despite the clearly expressed intent of Congress, the U.S. Department of Justice has only approved six claims under the Hometown Heroes law,” said Etheridge. “Our first responders face stressful and strenuous situations everyday as they work to protect our communities. They deserve no less than our full support in ensuring their families are cared for when they make the ultimate sacrifice.”

In their letter to the President, 25 senators and 76 representatives ask the President to direct his Administration to expedite all outstanding claims and ensure that benefits are awarded in line with the intent of Congress. Leahy, Etheridge, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) sent a similar letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in April.



Read more: http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200706/060707.html