Gerald Connolly (D-VA)
Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3317, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act," aims to expand and provide death gratuities for federal employees. It increases death gratuity payments for various federal employees, including those in the FAA, certain TSA employees, and VHA employees. The legislation also increases funeral expense reimbursements and adjusts death gratuities for those connected to service with an armed force. Additionally, it addresses death gratuities for agency employees serving abroad. Finally, the bill includes an emergency supplemental authorization of appropriations to cover potential costs from natural disasters or acts of terrorism.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +3
Would children be better off under this?
The bill explicitly includes children of any age as potential recipients of death gratuities.
- Scored +2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The increased death gratuities and funeral reimbursements provide financial support to grieving families.
- Scored +2
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill adjusts death gratuities for those connected to service with an armed force.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes additional appropriations for death gratuities and emergency costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Financial Support for Families: The bill sets a death gratuity of $100,000 for federal employees killed in the line of duty due to injuries related to employment, criminal acts, terrorism, or natural disasters (Section 2(a)(1)(b)(1)).
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Inflation Protection: Death gratuity amounts are adjusted every March 1 based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring the value of the payment keeps up with economic changes (Section s 2(a)(1)(b)(2)(A), Section 4(a)(1)(A), and Section 6(a)(1)).
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Expanded Coverage for Specific Employees: The bill extends death gratuity eligibility to FAA employees, certain TSA employees, and VHA employees (Section 2(b)).
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Higher Funeral Expense Reimbursement: The amount for funeral expenses is increased from $800 to $8,800 (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Tax Benefits for Recipients: Payments made under the various death gratuity provisions are not included in the recipient's gross income for tax purposes (Section 2(a)(1)(d), Section 3(a)(3), Section 4(a)(4), Section 5(a)(7), and Section 6(a)(2)).
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Guaranteed Funding for Emergencies: The bill authorizes additional appropriations if an agency faces costs exceeding its available funds due to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other incident (Section 7(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exclusions Based on Conduct: Death gratuities will not be paid if the death is caused by the employee's willful misconduct, the intention to cause injury/death, or intoxication/self-impairment (Section 2(a)(1)(b)(1)(B)).
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Reduction of Benefits due to Other Compensation: Death gratuity payments may be reduced by any amounts payable to the individual under other programs funded by the United States (Section 4(a)(1)(c) and Section 5(a)(5)).
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Strict Recipient Order: Payment of the gratuity follows a specific order of precedence, which may limit which family members receive the funds (Section 2(a)(1)(c)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes children of any age as potential recipients of death gratuities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The increased death gratuities and funeral reimbursements provide financial support to grieving families.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill adjusts death gratuities for those connected to service with an armed force.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides significant financial lump-sum payments to families of deceased federal employees.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes additional appropriations for death gratuities and emergency costs.
- 4/27/2026
- ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3317, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
- 5/12/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- 5/9/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania