[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 9, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RESPECT FOR OUR FALLEN HEROES

  (Mr. HUDSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, it has been 8 days since the government shut 
down. The postal service is still running. Social Security and 
unemployment checks are being processed. Citizens can get passports and 
food stamps, and certain groups that have the right ideology are even 
given permits to protest on our National Mall; but for some reason, our 
military families, including those at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, 
cannot receive emergency death benefits.
  This is worse than excusable. It's shameful.
  Last week, Congress unanimously passed the Pay Our Military Act, with 
the intent that all military pay and allowances will be disbursed 
during the government shutdown. Unfortunately, this administration has 
been playing political theater with the families of our war heroes who 
have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  To make our intent crystal clear, today the House passed the Honoring 
the Families of Fallen Soldiers Act. Certain things should transcend 
politics, and it is up to the Senate and the administration. In fact, 
they have a moral obligation to join the efforts of the House to fix 
this problem and to express our deepest gratitude to the families of 
our heroes.

                          ____________________