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. 252), S6898, S6900 [24SE]

Announcements

Moment of silence to honor National Police Week, H2681 [16MY]

Bills and resolutions

Arlington National Cemetery: permit visitors to leave appropriate items on gravesites and markers located in section 60 dedicated to the dead from Iraq and Afghanistan wars (see H.R. 3506), H7151 [15NO]

Armed Forces: appropriate funds necessary to pay death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members during a Government shutdown (see H.R. 3274), H6411 [8OC]

——— authorize payment of expenses for a stopover of the remains of certain decedents en route to the final destination (see H.R. 3337), H6769 [23OC]

——— equalize treatment under the Survivor Benefit Plan accorded Reserve component members who die from injury or illness incurred during inactive duty training with members who die on active duty (see H.R. 1770), H2390 [26AP]

——— improve outreach to families of members killed in action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts (see H. Con. Res. 65), H7152 [15NO]

——— making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members (see H.J. Res. 91), H6411 [8OC]

——— provide for forgiveness of certain overpayments of retired pay paid to deceased retired members following their death (see H.R. 1360), H1823 [21MR]

——— provide permanent appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members in the event of lapsed appropriations (see H.R. 3352), H6827 [28OC]

Army: establish chain of command for Army National Military Cemeteries (see H.R. 2209), H2955 [23MY]

Capital punishment: abolish under Federal law (see H.R. 3741), H8108 [12DE]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service (see H. Con. Res. 18), H659 [26FE]

Children and youth: improve the health of children and help better understand and enhance awareness about unexpected sudden death in early life (see S. 314), S708 [13FE] (see H.R. 669), H501 [13FE]

——— revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies (see S. 116), S214 [23JA] (see H.R. 2734), H4724 [18JY]

Children’s Grief Awareness Day: designate (see H. Res. 426), H7354 [21NO]

Coast Guard: making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members (see S.J. Res. 24), S7386 [10OC]

Commission on Native Children: establish (see S. 1622), S7674 [30OC]

Credit: provide for the discharge of student loan obligations upon the death or disability of the student borrower (see S. 1773), S8457 [21NO]

Dept. of Defense: declare the attack at Fort Hood, TX, a terrorist attack and ensure victims of such attack and their families receive the same honors and benefits as those killed or wounded in overseas combat zones (see S. 1500), S6446 [12SE] (see H.R. 3111), H5587 [17SE]

——— implement online computerized assessment to detect behaviors indicating suicide risk and other mental health conditions for Armed Forces members (see S. 810), S3028 [25AP]

——— 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. 705), H545 [14FE]

Dept. of Education: support teacher and school professional training on awareness of student mental health conditions and suicide prevention efforts (see H.R. 3536), H7252 [19NO]

Dept. of HHS: allow use of Child Care and Development Block Grant Program funds to improve child safety and reduce incidence of preventable infant deaths in child care settings (see S. 1494), S6377 [11SE]

——— 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. 641), S2146 [21MR] (see H.R. 1339), H1822 [21MR]

——— provide for national collection of data on stillbirths in a standardized manner (see H.R. 2365), H3591 [13JN]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (see S. 252), S519 [7FE] (see H.R. 541), H411 [6FE]

——— require States and their designees receiving grants for suicide early intervention and prevention strategies to consult with Indian tribes and organizations (see H.R. 1599), H2123 [17AP]

——— use unobligated amounts from Health Insurance Reform Implementation Fund to pay for military death gratuities and funeral and related travel and housing expenses during a Government shutdown (see H.R. 3289), H6545 [11OC]

Dept. of Justice: encourage States to report certain information regarding the deaths of persons in the custody of law enforcement agencies (see H.R. 1447), H1857 [9AP]

——— provide death benefits for campus police officers (see H.R. 2235), H3094 [4JN]

——— provide the Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs authority to establish a prescription drug take-back program for Armed Forces members and veterans (see S. 1089), S3954 [4JN] (see H.R. 3714), H8107 [12DE]

Dept. of Labor: pay Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program benefits to survivors of eligible Dept. of Energy contractor employees (see H.R. 2904), H5341 [1AU]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify that children of certain veterans are eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (see H.R. 1400), H1825 [21MR]

——— conduct study relative to claiming and interring of unclaimed remains of veterans (see S. 1755), S8457 [21NO]

——— expand eligibility for a medallion furnished to signify veteran status of a deceased individual (see H.R. 3671), H7566 [5DE]

——— expand the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship to include spouses of Armed Forces members who died in the line of duty (see S. 1039), S3843 [23MY] (see H.R. 3441), H6953 [30OC]

——— furnish headstones and markers for certain deceased veterans buried in veterans’ cemeteries of Indian tribes (see H.R. 2039), H2717 [16MY]

——— identify persons other than next of kin that are eligible to request headstones or markers for veterans’ graves (see H.R. 2018), H2716 [16MY]

——— increase burial and funeral expense benefits for certain veterans (see H.R. 1987), H2653 [15MY]

——— provide for payment of temporary compensation to a surviving spouse of a veteran upon the death of the veteran (see S. 1573), S7536 [16OC]

——— update basis for establishing Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance program premium rates (see S. 1585), S7574 [28OC]

Drugs: increase Federal oversight of prescription opioid treatment and assistance to States in reducing opioid abuse, diversion, and deaths (see S. 348), S772 [14FE] (see H.R. 672), H501 [13FE]

Family and Medical Leave Act: allow leave because of the death of a son or daughter (see S. 226), S469 [4FE] (see H.R. 515), H370 [5FE]

Federal agencies and departments: improve detection, prevention, and recovery of improper payments to deceased individuals (see S. 1360), S5907 [24JY]

——— modify the Do Not Pay Initiative and improve detection, prevention, and recover of improper payments to deceased individuals (see H.R. 3555), H7309 [20NO]

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. 1832), H2436 [6MY]

Federal firefighters: establish presumptive disability benefits for certain diseases and disabilities (see H.R. 3718), H8107 [12DE]

Firefighters: provide Federal death and disability benefits for contractors who serve as firefighters of the Forest Service, Dept. of the Interior agencies, or any State or local entity (see S. 1628), S7728 [31OC]

Flag—U.S.: provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of deceased firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers (see H.R. 558), H412 [6FE]

——— provide for the flying of the flag at half-staff in the event of the death of a first responder in the line of duty (see H.R. 2386), H3653 [14JN]

House Rules: require a reading of the names of Armed Forces members who died in the previous month as a result of combat operations (see H. Res. 412), H7110 [14NO]

Immigration: provide for special immigrant status for certain spouses and children of employees of the U.S. Government abroad killed in the line of duty (see H.R. 1781), H2391 [26AP]

Little Rock, AR: treat Armed Forces members killed or wounded in attack at recruiting station in same manner as members killed or wounded in a combat zone (see S. 1433), S6206 [1AU]

Medicare: recognize attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients (see H.R. 2867), H5173 [30JY] (see H.R. 2969), H5344 [1AU]

——— strengthen and protect hospice programs (see S. 1053), S3843 [23MY] (see H.R. 2302), H3251 [6JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (see H.R. 1173), H1426 [14MR]

Members of Congress: prohibit payment of death gratuities to the surviving heirs of deceased Members (see H.R. 3594), H7353 [21NO]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 258), S6886 [24SE]

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 262), S6960 [26SE] (see H. Con. Res. 64), H7110 [14NO]

Occupational Safety and Health Act: expand coverage, increase protections for whistleblowers, and increase penalties for violators (see S. 665), S2328 [22MR] (see H.R. 1648), H2158 [18AP]

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. 405), H6997 [12NO]

Peace Corps: allow former volunteers to use the seal, emblem, or name of Peace Corps on death announcements and grave stones (see H.R. 1573), H2026 [15AP]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance (see S. Res. 140), S3430 [14MY]

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 (see H.R. 186), H51 [4JA]

Public safety officers: extend public safety officers’ death benefits to fire police officers (see S. 876), S3158 [7MY] (see H.R. 1828), H2436 [6MY]

Russia: allow adoptions initiated before law ending adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens to proceed, express sadness over abuse and deaths of adopted children, and prevent future abuse (see H. Res. 34), H171 [15JA]

Social Security: provide for a phased-in payment of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits during the waiting period for individuals with a terminal illness (see S. 1311), S5755 [17JY]

SSA: prevent identity theft associated with publication of the Death Master File (see H.R. 2720), H4723 [18JY]

——— prohibit the publishing of Social Security numbers of deceased individuals in the Death Master File (see H.R. 466), H341 [4FE]

Taxation: repeal estate and generation-skipping taxes (see S. 1183), S4673 [19JN] (see H.R. 2429), H3927 [19JN]

——— repeal estate and gift taxes (see S. 1402), S6126 [31JY] (see H.R. 147), H32 [3JA] (see H.R. 177), H51 [4JA] (see H.R. 483), H342 [4FE]

——— repeal estate tax and retain stepped-up basis at death (see H.R. 782), H595 [15FE]

Excerpts

‘‘Life Itself—A Memoir,’’ Roger Ebert, S2448 [8AP]

Letters

Armed Forces death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members: Repesentative Jackson Lee, H6433 [9OC]

Daniel Somers suicide note to family: Daniel Somers, H5865 [26SE]

Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) reauthorization and Dept. of HHS National Pediatric Research Network establishment: Daniel Hayden and Michael Calise, FightSMA (organization), H6965 [12NO]

——— Jim Kaufman, Children’s Hospital Association, H6965 [12NO]

——— Nick Manetto, Coalition for Pediatric Medical Research, H6965 [12NO]

Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) reauthorization and Prematurity Awareness Month observance: Jennifer L. Howse, March of Dimes Foundation, H6966 [12NO]

——— several health organizations, H6966 [12NO]

Plays 

‘‘Henry V’’: William Shakespeare (excerpt), S1214 [6MR]

Remarks in House

Arlington National Cemetery: permit visitors to leave appropriate items on gravesites and markers located in section 60 dedicated to the dead from Iraq and Afghanistan wars (H.R. 3506), E1677 [15NO]

Armed Forces: appropriate funds necessary to pay death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members during a Government shutdown (H.R. 3274), H6361 [8OC]

——— impact of Government shutdown on the payment of death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members, H6533 [11OC]

——— making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members (H.J. Res. 91), H6354, H6357 [8OC], H6421, H6423, H6424, H6426, H6427, H6428, H6430, H6431–H6435, H6443 [9OC], H6500 [11OC], E1468 [9OC], E1488 [11OC]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service (H. Con. Res. 18), H1554, H1555 [18MR]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: create and implement infant mortality pilot programs in standard metropolitan statistical areas with high rates of infant mortality, H6959 [12NO]

Children and youth: revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies (H.R. 2734), H6115 [2OC]

Dept. of Commerce: restrict access to personal information of deceased individuals in the SSA Death Master File, H7699, H8066, H8083 [12DE]

Dept. of Defense: declare the attack at Fort Hood, TX, a terrorist attack and ensure victims of such attack and their families receive the same honors and benefits as those killed or wounded in overseas combat zones (H.R. 3111), H5629 [18SE]

——— determine effectiveness of suicide prevention programs, H3570 [13JN]

——— provide suicide prevention and outreach services to Reservists, H3561 [13JN]

——— 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, H438 [12FE], E125 [12FE]

——— 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 (H.R. 705), H1581 [19MR]

——— suicide prevention and outreach services for reservists funding, E1123 [24JY]

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. 252), H6959, H6961–H6967 [12NO], E1656 [14NO]

Dept. of Justice: encourage States to report certain information regarding the deaths of persons in the custody of law enforcement agencies (H.R. 1447), H8047–H8049 [12DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify that children of certain veterans are eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, H6798 [28OC]

——— clarify that children of certain veterans are eligible for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (H.R. 1400), E359 [21MR]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention, H5865–H5871 [26SE]

House of Representatives: moment of silence for victims of Navy Yard shooting in District of Columbia, H5574 [17SE]

Maine: tribute to Summit Project for honoring fallen servicemembers, E1632 [12NO]

Medicare/Medicaid: provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (H.R. 1173), H2070 [17AP], H4218 [9JY], H4829 [22JY], H6833 [29OC], E300 [14MR]

National Hospice and Palliative Care Month: observance, E1671 [15NO]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: support goals and ideals, E1610 [30OC]

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: observance, H5865–H5871 [26SE], E1384, E1386 [26SE], E1403 [30SE]

National Suicide Prevention Week: observance, H5516, H5532 [12SE]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance, H2525 [8MY], H2811 [21MY], E662 [15MY]

Special Operations Warrior Foundation: tribute, H6430 [9OC]

SSA: prevent identity theft associated with publication of the Death Master File (H.R. 2720), H4607 [18JY], E1090 [18JY]

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS): tribute, E1284 [11SE]

Transgender Day of Remembrance: observance, H7264 [20NO], E1717 [20NO]

Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, IN: anniversary of Hospice Program, E920 [19JN]

Remarks in Senate

Armed Forces: impact of Government shutdown on the payment of death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members, S7283, S7293, S7294 [8OC]

——— making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members (H.J. Res. 91), S7312, S7325, S7326, S7352, S7354 [9OC], S7357, S7368–S7370 [10OC]

——— making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members (H.J. Res. 91), unanimous-consent agreement, S7368 [10OC]

——— making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased members (H.J. Res. 91), unanimous-consent request, S7328 [9OC]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service (H. Con. Res. 18), S2232 [21MR]

Children and youth: revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies, S2725 [17AP]

——— revise and extend programs to support planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies (S. 116), S222 [23JA]

Commission on Native Children: establish (S. 1622), S7678–S7680 [30OC]

Dept. of Commerce: restrict access to personal information of deceased individuals in the SSA Death Master File, S8890, S8891 [17DE], S8945–S8947 [18DE]

Dept. of Defense: declare the attack at Fort Hood, TX, a terrorist attack and ensure victims of such attack and their families receive the same honors and benefits as those killed or wounded in overseas combat zones, S8339 [20NO], S8702 [12DE], S9008, S9009 [19DE]

——— implement online computerized assessment to detect behaviors indicating suicide risk and other mental health conditions for Armed Forces members (S. 810), S3032 [25AP]

Dept. of HHS: allow use of Child Care and Development Block Grant Program funds to improve child safety and reduce incidence of preventable infant deaths in child care settings (S. 1494), S6379 [11SE]

——— 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. 641), S2149 [21MR]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 252), S6900 [24SE], S8069 [14NO], S9047 [19DE], S9095 [20DE]

Dept. of Justice: improve Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, S8839 [16DE]

——— provide the Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs authority to establish a prescription drug take-back program for Armed Forces members and veterans, S8438 [21NO]

——— provide the Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs authority to establish a prescription drug take-back program for Armed Forces members and veterans (S. 1089), S3957 [4JN]

Drugs: increase Federal oversight of prescription opioid treatment and assistance to States in reducing opioid abuse, diversion, and deaths (S. 348), S779 [14FE]

Fisher House Foundation, Inc.: tribute to provision of military death benefits to families of fallen servicemen during the Government shutdown, S7359, S7361, S7362 [10OC]

Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act: anniversary, S8839 [16DE]

Inhofe, Senator: condolences on death of son, S7937, S7938, S7945 [12NO], S7986, S7996 [13NO]

Maine: tribute to Summit Project for honoring fallen servicemembers, S6326 [10SE]

Medicare: strengthen and protect hospice programs (S. 1053), S3852 [23MY]

Medicare/Medicaid: reform, S2582 [11AP]

National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (S. Res. 258), S6901 [24SE]

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: observance, S6616 [19SE]

——— support goals and ideals (S. Res. 262), S6968 [26SE]

Occupational Safety and Health Act: expand coverage, increase protections for whistleblowers, and increase penalties for violators (S. 665), S3085 [6MY]

Peace Officers Memorial Day: observance (S. Res. 140), S3436 [14MY], S3565, S3566 [16MY]

Taxation: permanently repeal estate tax, S2582 [11AP]

——— repeal estate and gift taxes (S. 1402), S6129 [31JY]

——— repeal estate tax, S2087, S2088 [21MR], S2286 [22MR]

——— repeal estate tax provided action would not result in an increase in the deficit, S2285, S2286 [22MR]

Reports

Army Bomb Disposal/Explosive Ordnance Disposal Personnel Deaths: Mike R. Vining, E719–E724 [22MY]

Reports filed

Death in Custody Reporting Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 1447) (H. Rept. 113–285), H7607 [9DE]

Reduce Preterm Labor, Delivery, and Risk of Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Complications Due to Pregnancy, and Reduce Infant Mortality Caused by Prematurity: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 252), S771 [14FE]

Use of Capitol Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House) (H. Con. Res. 18) (H. Rept. 113–18), H1567 [18MR]

Surveys

Americans Agree That Discussions About Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care Treatment Options Should Be Fully Covered: Regence Foundation and National Journal, H4219 [9JY]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 18, use of Capitol Grounds for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, H1554 [18MR]

H.J. Res. 91, death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased Armed Forces members continuing appropriations, H6431 [9OC]

H.R. 1447, Death in Custody Reporting Act, H8047 [12DE]

S. 252, Dept. of HHS reduction of preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity, S6900 [24SE]

S. 252, Dept. of HHS reduction of preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduction of infant mortality caused by prematurity, H6961–H6963 [12NO]

S. 1053, Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate Payment Act, S3852 [23MY]

S. 1402, Death Tax Repeal Act, S6129 [31JY]

S. 1494, Child Care Infant Mortality Prevention Act, S6379 [11SE]

S. 1500, Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act, S6448 [12SE]

S. Res. 140, Peace Officers Memorial Day, S3434 [14MY]

S. Res. 258, support goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, S6893 [24SE]

S. Res. 262, support goals and ideals of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, S6962 [26SE]