Clinton Proposes Legislation to Support the Children of Single Parents who Lose their Lives in Iraq

Clinton Proposes Legislation to Support the Children of Single Parents who Lose their Lives in Iraq & Afghanistan

Addresses the Growing Problem of Grandparents and Relatives Raising Slain Servicemembers' Children who are Denied Death Gratuity Payments

Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that she will propose legislation to help single parents who are killed in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere to establish a guardian as recipient of their death benefit. Under her legislation, single parents will have greater flexibility to provide the death benefit to the person who will be the guardian of their minor child in the tragic case of their death. The legislation would allow single parents to designate the custodial guardian of the minor child to receive those benefits.

"I have long championed increased resources for grandparents, many of them retired, who are faced with unnecessary financial hardships while raising their children's children without access to financial assistance", said Senator Clinton. "This bill reflects the realities that the toll of this war is taking on American military families. Single parents are being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the ability for grandparents or other designated guardians to care for surviving children is limited and creating unnecessary hardships."

The legislation will also require mandatory counseling during pre-deployment activities specifically tailored to provide information about wills, trusts, and life insurance options so they are fully informed about the financial decisions they are making on behalf of their families.

Currently, nearly two and half million grandparents are raising their grandchildren nationwide. Senator Clinton, along with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), has introduced the The Kinship Caregiver Support Act to support such families. Today, they are reintroducing their legislation for the 110th Congress.

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=269452&&

They were Reserves both called up. That shouldn't be to begin with. Their two boys, ages 10 and 8, are both autistic. They are living with Grandma. Grandpa is dead. If something should happen to these parents, Grandma is going to be very hard pressed to raise two young autistic boys, especially without financial assistance.

Hell, ALL CHILDREN should be protected and taken care of in this country, not just those unfortunate to lose their parents to the military/industrial complex.

The World's Only Superpower. Yeah. Sure.