DEATH AND DYING

Amendments

Dept. of HHS: reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 1440), S6860, S6868, S6869 [15NO], H7296 [19DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: ensure deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a dignified burial (S. 3202), S8226 [19DE]

Articles and editorials

Air Force Dumped Ashes of More Troops’ Remains in VA Landfill Than Acknowledged, H1159 [6MR]

Singleton Takes Pride in Helping Families, S1786 [19MR]

Bills and resolutions

Armed Forces: require military command responsibility and accountability for the care, handling, and transportation of the remains of a deceased member to ensure treatment with dignity, honor, and respect (see H.R. 4913), H2205 [26AP]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service (see H. Con. Res. 117), H2030 [19AP]

Children’s Grief Awareness Day: designate (see H. Res. 681), H3660 [7JN]

——— support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 590), S6744 [13NO]

Commission To Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: establish (see S. 3705), S8364 [21DE] (see H.R. 6655), H6806 [13DE]

Dept. of Defense: require victims of attack at Fort Hood, TX, and their families be accorded the same treatment, benefits, and honors accorded to September, 11, 2001, terrorist attack victims and families (see H.R. 6630), H6622 [4DE]

Dept. of HHS: expedite research and drug development to combat the most deadly and costly chronic diseases (see S. 2069), S323 [2FE] (see H.R. 3891), H440 [2FE]

——— increase number of permanent faculty in palliative care at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, nursing schools, and other programs, and promote education in palliative care and hospice (see S. 3407), S5211 [19JY] (see H.R. 6155), H5077 [19JY]

——— require States and their designees receiving grants for suicide early intervention and prevention strategies to consult with Indian tribes and organizations (see H.R. 4467), H2030 [19AP]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assist in identification of unclaimed and abandoned human remains to determine if any such remains are eligible for burial in a national cemetery (see S. 2244), S2166 [28MR]

——— ensure deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a dignified burial (see S. 3202), S3280 [17MY] (see H.R. 6073), H4655 [29JN]

——— modify treatment under contracting goals and preferences for small businesses owned by veterans of small businesses after the death of a disabled veteran owner (see S. 3210), S3329 [21MY]

——— treat small businesses bequeathed to family by Armed Forces members killed in the line of duty as owned and controlled by veterans for contracting goals and preferences (see S. 3405), S5211 [19JY]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention and resilience and behavior health disorders for Armed Forces members and veterans (see S. 3340), S4460 [25JN]

Drugs: reduce deaths occurring from overdoses (see H.R. 6311), H5705 [2AU]

Family and Medical Leave Act: allow leave because of the death of a son or daughter (see H.R. 6673), H6828 [17DE]

Federal employees: provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in civil service (see H.R. 4312), H1803 [29MR]

FEMA: make grants to State and local governments to assist in preparing for and responding to mass casualty incidents (see H.R. 6715), H7435 [27DE]

——— provide guidance and coordination for mass fatality planning (see H.R. 6566), H6297 [28SE]

Medicare: exempt certain hospice programs from the limitation applicable to payments for hospice care (see H.R. 6466), H6231 [20SE]

——— recognize attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients (see H.R. 3831), H181 [25JA]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 586), S6626 [21SE]

Pakistan: provide compensation for the deadly acts by elements of the Pakistani military and intelligence services against U.S. citizens (see H.R. 5734), H2645 [10MY]

Patriot Guard Riders (organization): tribute to mission to show sincere respect for fallen Armed Forces members by attending funeral services of a fallen member as invited guests of the family (see H. Res. 669), H3266 [30MY]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance (see S. Res. 456), S3087 [10MY]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: improve (see H.R. 4018), H725 [14FE]

Taxation: exclude certain farmland and family-owned business interests from the value of the gross estate of decedents (see H.R. 6271), H5629 [1AU]

——— exclude from gross income any discharge of indebtedness income on education loans of deceased veterans (see H.R. 5044), H2268 [27AP]

——— exempt certain family-owned farms and businesses from the estate tax (see S. 2200), S1734 [15MR]

——— extend Bush administration tax cuts, provide alternative minimum tax relief, and repeal estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes (see S. 3420), S5257 [23JY]

——— extend Bush administration tax cuts and other tax relief for families making less than a certain annual income and provide alternative minimum tax and estate tax relief (see S. 3393), S5085 [17JY] (see H.R. 6262), H5629 [1AU]

——— extend estate and gift tax rules (see S. 3440), S5381 [25JY]

——— extend time period for contributing military death gratuities to Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts (see S. 3234), S3630 [24MY] (see H.R. 6013), H3975 [21JN]

——— permanently extend Bush administration tax cuts (see H.R. 6663), H6806 [13DE]

——— provide estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax relief (see H.R. 16), H5330 [30JY]

——— provide that the value of certain historic property shall be determined using an income approach in determining the taxable estate of a decedent (see S. 2209), S1847 [20MR] (see H.R. 5982), H3914 [20JN]

——— repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes (see S. 2242), S2166 [28MR]

——— repeal estate and gift taxes (see S. 3403), S5211 [19JY] (see H.R. 6279), H5704 [2AU]

Veterans: enhance burial benefits (see H.R. 5833), H3161 [18MY]

Cost Estimates

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act (H.R. 4018): CBO, S7016 [28NO]

Letters

Forensic analysis of events surrounding the death of Rafael Peralta relative to nomination to receive the Medal of Honor: Vincent J.M. DiMaio, H3139 [18MY]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act: Chuck Canterbury, National Fraternal Order of Police, E1153 [27JN]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program improvements: several public safety officer organizations, S7027 [28NO]

——— Steve Williamson, American Ambulance Association, S7028 [28NO]

Spending Reductions Through Innovations in Therapies Agenda (SPRINT) Act: Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association, S325 [2FE]

Lists

Dept. of Homeland Security agents, officers, and military personnel who died in the line of duty, S3169 [15MY]

Remarks in House

Armed Forces: clarify procedures for the care, handling, and transportation of the remains of a deceased member, H5037, H5038 [19JY], E1290 [19JY]

——— require military command responsibility and accountability for the care, handling, and transportation of the remains of a deceased member to ensure treatment with dignity, honor, and respect (H.R. 4913), E663 [26AP]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service (H. Con. Res. 117), H2297, H2298 [7MY]

Commission To Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: establish (H.R. 6655), H7313–H7317 [19DE]

Dept. of Defense: suicide prevention and outreach programs funding, H4955, H4956, H4984 [18JY], H5049, H5050 [19JY]

——— transport and escort of combat casualties remains funding, E1286 [19JY]

Dept. of HHS: reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 1440), H7296–H7301 [19DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: ensure deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a dignified burial (S. 3202), H7441–H7446 [30DE]

——— suicide prevention and outreach programs funding, H3322 [31MY]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention, H5206 [25JY]

Depts. of the Interior and Agriculture: protect tribal sovereignty with respect to Native American burial or other sacred sites, H3785 [19JN]

Drugs: encourage development of prescription drug monitoring programs to track the dispensing of controlled drugs to patients, H2335 [8MY]

——— increase Federal oversight of prescription opioid treatment and assistance to States in reducing opioid abuse, diversion, and deaths (H.R. 1925), H5529 [1AU]

Federal Mortuary Affairs Advisory Commission: establish, H3033 [17MY]

Fowler, Michael L., Sr.: Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association, Inc., 4th District Mortician of the Year Award recipient, E483 [29MR]

Government regulations: exempt regulations relative to work-related electrocutions or other fatalities from regulatory freeze, H5276, H5277 [25JY]

Hurricanes: express sympathy and support to citizens for damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, H6390 [15NO]

Medicare: tribute to hospice care workers, H3735 [19JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (H.R. 1589), H1155 [6MR], H3735 [19JN], H5203 [25JY]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: observance, E1622 [21SE]

Navy: report on review, findings, and actions pertaining to the Medal of Honor nomination of Rafael Peralta, H3138 [18MY]

Occupational Safety and Health Act: expand coverage, increase protections for whistleblowers, and increase penalties for violators (H.R. 190), E691 [27AP]

Patriot Guard Riders (organization): tribute to mission to show sincere respect for fallen Armed Forces members by attending funeral services of a fallen member as invited guests of the family (H. Res. 669), H3279 [31MY]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance, H2052 [24AP], H2666 [15MY], H2743 [16MY], H2815 [17MY], E793 [15MY]

Political campaigns: permit candidates for Federal office to designate an individual authorized to disburse funds from the candidate’s campaign committees in the event of the death of the candidate (H.R. 406), H5743, H5744 [10SE]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: improve (H.R. 4018), H3994–H3997 [26JN], H4079 [27JN], H4625 [29JN], E1153 [27JN]

‘‘Taps’’: anniversary of writing, E1072 [19JN]

——— designate musical piece as National Song of Remembrance (H.R. 595), E1072 [19JN]

Taxation: exclude from gross income any discharge of indebtedness income on education loans of deceased veterans (H.R. 5044), H6101–H6104 [19SE]

——— exempt certain family-owned farms and businesses from the estate tax, H7361 [20DE]

——— permanently extend Bush administration tax cuts and provide permanent alternative minimum tax and estate tax relief (H.R. 696), H923 [17FE]

——— provide estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax relief, H5546, H5593 [1AU], H5646 [2AU]

——— repeal estate and gift taxes, H5757, H5759, H5760 [10SE]

W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home Inc.: tribute, E1722 [26OC]

Workers Memorial Day: observance, H2215 [27AP], E621 [24AP], E691 [27AP]

Remarks in Senate

Appropriations: prohibit use of emergency spending for persons having serious delinquent tax debts or for deceased individuals, S8433, S8434, S8439 [27DE]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service (H. Con. Res. 117), S3049 [9MY]

Commission To Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: establish (H.R. 6655), S8666, S8667 [2JA]

——— establish (S. 3705), S8355, S8364 [21DE]

Dept. of HHS: expedite research and drug development to combat the most deadly and costly chronic diseases (S. 2069), S324, S325 [2FE]

——— increase number of permanent faculty in palliative care at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, nursing schools, and other programs, and promote education in palliative care and hospice (S. 3407), S5214 [19JY]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 1440), S6868–S6870 [15NO]

Dept. of Homeland Security: tribute to agents, officers, and military personnel who died in the line of duty, S3169 [15MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: ensure deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a dignified burial (S. 3202), S3287 [17MY], S8231 [19DE]

——— treat small businesses bequeathed to family by Armed Forces members killed in the line of duty as owned and controlled by veterans for contracting goals and preferences (S. 3405), S5213 [19JY]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention and resilience and behavior health disorders for Armed Forces members and veterans, S7015 [28NO], S7146 [29NO], S7390 [4DE]

——— improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention and resilience and behavior health disorders for Armed Forces members and veterans (S. 3340), S4461–S4463 [25JN], S4719 [28JN], S6719 [13NO]

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: addition of names of Kansas officers, S3161 [15MY]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance, S3170 [15MY]

——— observance (S. Res. 456), S3103 [10MY]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: improve, S342 [6FE], S7025–S7029 [28NO]

——— improve (H.R. 4018), S4781 [29JN], S4783 [9JY]

——— improve (S. 1696), S1921 [21MR]

Sacagawea: anniversary of death, S6442, S6443 [19SE]

‘‘Taps’’: designate musical piece as National Song of Remembrance, S7154 [29NO]

Taxation: exempt certain family-owned farms and businesses from the estate tax, S7674 [6DE]

——— extend Bush administration tax cuts, provide alternative minimum tax relief, and repeal estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes (S. 3420), S5264 [23JY], S5265 [24JY]

——— extend Bush administration tax cuts and other tax relief for families making less than a certain annual income and provide alternative minimum tax and estate tax relief (S. 3393), S5090 [17JY], S5093 [18JY]

——— extend Bush administration tax cuts and permanently repeal estate and gift taxes and the alternative minimum tax on individuals, S6318–S6320 [13SE]

——— prevent pending tax increases and permanently repeal estate and gift taxes and the alternative minimum tax on individuals, S2803 [26AP], S7672–S7674 [6DE]

——— provide permanent extension of tax relief and repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes, S5102 [18JY]

——— repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes, S4924–S4926 [12JY], S5336, S5340–S5345, S5357 [25JY], S5441, S5442 [26JY], S5840 [1AU], S7695 [10DE]

Reports filed

Dept. of HHS Reduction of Preterm Labor, Delivery, Risk of Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Complications Due to Pregnancy, and Infant Mortality Caused by Prematurity: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 1440), S6451 [19SE]

Permit Candidates for Federal Office To Designate an Individual Authorized To Disburse Campaign Funds in the Event of the Candidate’s Death: Committee on House Administration (House) (H.R. 406) (H. Rept. 112–628), H5330 [30JY]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 4018) (H. Rept. 112–548), H3981 [25JN]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 117, use of Capitol Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, H2297 [7MY]

H.R. 406, permit candidates for Federal office to designate an individual authorized to disburse funds from the candidate’s campaign committees in the event of the death of the candidate, H5743 [10SE]

H.R. 4018, Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act, H3994 [26JN]

H.R. 5044, exclude from gross income any discharge of indebtedness income on education loans of deceased veterans, H6101 [19SE]

H.R. 6655, Protect Our Kids Act, H7313 [19DE]

S. 1440, Dept. of HHS activities to reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity, S6869 [15NO], H7296–H7298 [19DE]

S. 3202, Dignified Burial of Veterans Act, S3287 [17MY], H7442–H7445 [30DE]

S. 3393, Middle Class Tax Cut Act, S5087–S5089 [17JY]

S. 3407, Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, S5215 [19JY]

S. Res. 456, Peace Officers Memorial Day, S3090, S3103 [10MY]

S. Res. 586, support goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, S6634, S6683 [21SE]

S. Res. 590, support goals and ideals of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, S6747 [13NO]