Senate Passes Amendment Inspired by Phoenix Marine

Press Release

U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) issued the following statement regarding the inclusion of an amendment, sponsored by both senators, to the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the Senate today. The provision would allow the Defense Department to fund travel for families of U.S. service members killed in overseas humanitarian actions to attend return-of-remains ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

The amendment is inspired by Arizona resident and Marine Lance Cpl. Jacob Hug, who was killed in May 2015 while on a humanitarian relief mission in Nepal.

At present, Pentagon rules require that families of military members killed in humanitarian or disaster-relief -- as opposed to combat -- missions pay their own way to Dover Air Force Base to view return-of-remains ceremonies. This amendment would treat transportation for families of all such military deaths equally.

"Families of service members already sacrifice a tremendous amount. For families to have to pay out-of-pocket to witness the dignified transfer of a loved one's remains -- particularly those not only serving their country, but also humanity at large -- is unconscionable. This amendment would ensure that all such families are treated equally."

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