H.R.3317 - Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3317, the "Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act," aims to enhance and expand death gratuities for federal employees who die in the line of duty. The bill increases the death gratuity to $100,000, adjusted annually for inflation, and clarifies the order of precedence for payment recipients. It also addresses funeral expenses and provides specific provisions for employees of the FAA, TSA, and VHA, as well as those serving abroad.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is to provide greater financial support to the families of civil servants who die in the line of duty. This includes increased death gratuity payments and funeral expense coverage. The bill also aims to standardize and clarify the process for determining eligibility and payment distribution.
Potential Benefits
- Provides increased financial support to families of deceased civil servants.
- Adjusts death gratuities for inflation, maintaining their real value over time.
- Clarifies the order of precedence for payment recipients, reducing potential disputes.
- Extends death gratuity benefits to specific categories of employees, such as those in the FAA, TSA, and VHA.
- Offers tax-free treatment of death gratuity payments, maximizing their value to recipients.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased government spending on death gratuities, potentially impacting the federal budget.
- Complexity in determining eligibility for death gratuities, potentially leading to administrative challenges.
- Potential for disputes over the determination of whether a death occurred in the line of duty.
- The bill does not address potential disparities in benefits based on the type of employment or agency.
- May create a perception of unequal treatment compared to benefits provided to other groups, such as military personnel.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the US Constitution, as it seeks to provide support to the families of civil servants who have died in service to the country. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to provide for the general Welfare of the United States. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or protections.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).