Overview
Title
To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow a surviving spouse of a Medal of Honor recipient to receive a special pension concurrently with dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
Imagine a special hero gets a big shiny medal for being super brave. When they pass away, their husband or wife gets some money help from the government to say "thank you" for being married to a hero. This new idea says they should get an extra thank you money at the same time, not just one or the other.
Summary AI
H.R. 803 proposes a change to the United States Code to allow the surviving spouse of a Medal of Honor recipient to receive a special pension at the same time as dependency and indemnity compensation. Currently, these benefits cannot be received concurrently, and this bill seeks to amend that restriction. Introduced by Mr. Morelle and other representatives, the bill emphasizes honoring the families of Medal of Honor recipients by providing them with additional financial support.
Published
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
H.R. 803, known as the "Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act," is a proposed piece of legislation in the 119th Congress designed to modify existing laws related to benefits for the surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. Specifically, this bill amends title 38 of the United States Code to permit these spouses to receive a special pension alongside other benefits they are entitled to, such as dependency and indemnity compensation. This adjustment aims to address a previous restriction that may have prevented such dual benefits from being awarded.
Significant Issues
One notable issue with the bill is its brevity, particularly in Section 1. The lack of detailed information typically found in legislative proposals makes it challenging to fully understand the broader implications, including the financial impacts on federal expenditures and potential favoritism in benefit distribution. Another concern is the potential for legal ambiguity arising from the changes in Section 2, where the amendment involves striking a portion of the existing legal text (subparagraph C of Section 1562(a)(2)). This lack of explicit detail might lead to confusion about the new rules and their application.
Broad Public Impact
This bill, if enacted, could have a meaningful impact on a specific segment of the population—surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. By allowing them to receive both a special pension and other benefits concurrently, the legislation aims to alleviate some financial burdens on these individuals. This change acknowledges the sacrifices made by the families of Medal of Honor recipients and offers them a more comprehensive support system. However, the potential increase in government spending due to the expansion of benefits may affect broader budgetary concerns, including the allocation of resources across different public needs.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients, who would see an immediate and positive impact through increased financial support. This change recognizes their unique sacrifices and offers a more robust financial safety net. On the other hand, federal agencies responsible for administering veterans' benefits might face challenges in implementing these changes, including ensuring clarity and consistency in the new rules. Additionally, taxpayers could indirectly feel the effects of any increased federal expenditure resulting from these expanded benefits, potentially leading to wider discussions about budget priorities and resource distributions.
Issues
The most significant issue is in Section 1 regarding the lack of detailed information usually critical for understanding the broader implications of the bill. Without this, it's challenging to assess its impact on federal expenditures or potential favoritism.
The title in Section 1, while straightforward, might not provide enough context for proper evaluation or public understanding of the bill, which could lead to misinterpretations or lack of transparency.
In Section 2, the lack of defined language in the amendment to title 38, United States Code, could lead to legal ambiguities around the specific provisions being adjusted, such as in subparagraph (C) of Section 1562(a)(2).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides the short title of the Act, allowing it to be formally referred to as the "Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act."
2. Modification of Medal of Honor special pension provisions to allow concurrent benefits Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the law in title 38 of the United States Code by removing a specific part of the rules that might have blocked people from receiving Medal of Honor special pensions at the same time as other benefits.