Washington, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), a former FBI Special Agent and lifelong advocate for America’s public servants, and Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, have introduced the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act—bipartisan legislation to ensure that the families of federal civil servants killed while serving our nation receive the full benefits and recognition they deserve.
While members of the military and Foreign Service receive appropriate benefits when killed in service to our country, their civilian counterparts are still subject to outdated provisions—some of which haven’t been updated in over 50 years.
The Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act would:
- Raise the one-time death benefit from $10,000 (set in 1997) to $100,000, aligning it with benefits provided to military and Foreign Service families;
- Increase the funeral benefit from $800 (unchanged since 1966) to $8,000;
- Index both benefits to inflation to ensure future parity;
- Expand and clarify eligibility so families are not excluded by narrow or outdated definitions;
- Make benefits mandatory, not discretionary, removing any ambiguity in agency response;
- Authorize emergency funds in the event of mass-casualty events involving federal personnel;
“Civil servants who give their lives in service to our nation deserve the same honor and support as those in the military and Foreign Service,” said Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan bill fixes outdated policy and ensures their families receive the benefits and recognition their sacrifice demands.”
“For too long, families of civil servants who give their lives in service to our nation have been denied proper benefits upon the deaths of their loved ones,” said Connolly. “That must change. I am proud to join my friend Brian Fitzpatrick to introduce this important legislation today.”
From federal law enforcement and homeland security personnel to inspectors, caseworkers, and emergency responders—this bill honors the sacrifice of civil servants and delivers real action for their loved ones left behind.
Text of the legislation is available here.
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