CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Joni Ernst (R-IA)

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on casualty assistance and long-term care programs.

S.Amdt. 3427 · Senate amendment to an amendment

A Republican amendment with no cosponsors

Changes S.Amdt. 3748, an amendment to S. 2296 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Last activity — Amendment SA 3427 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Adopted

The Senate agreed to this amendment, so its changes are part of the bill from here on.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. Passed Senate
  3. Adopted

What this amendment would do

This amendment, submitted by Ms. Ernst, aims to add a new section to bill S. 2296. Its purpose is to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on how the Armed Forces handle casualty assistance and long-term care programs.

The amendment wants to change the current system by having the Comptroller General assess several options:

  • Improving how casualty assistance officers are selected and managed, including using standardized tour lengths.

  • Improving the training, quality, and proficiency of these officers regarding policies, procedures, and the benefits and financial obligations that surviving families face.

  • Creating a Defense-wide survivor contact registry where families can voluntarily share information for periodic check-ins.

  • Developing an integrated Defense-wide long-term care program for surviving families, based on the Army's Survivor Outreach Services, to provide access to counselors, case managers, and information on entitlements.

The Comptroller General must finish the study by January 1, 2027, and submit a report with the results, recommendations, and an implementation plan to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services within 180 days.