[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF DEATH GRATUITY TO ARMED FORCES MEMBERS

  Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Armed 
Services Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 704 
and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 704) to amend title 10, United States Code, to 
     increase the amount of the death gratuity payable with 
     respect to deceased members of the Armed Forces.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
read a third time and passed; that the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table; and that any statements relating to the bill be printed 
in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 704) was read the third time and passed, as follows:

                                 S. 704

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. INCREASE IN DEATH GRATUITY PAYABLE WITH RESPECT TO 
                   DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) Increase in Death Gratuity.--Section 1478(a) of title 
     10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``$6,000'' and 
     inserting ``$12,000''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on September 11, 2001, and shall apply with 
     respect to deaths occurring on or after that date.

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