To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that the increase of $250 per month in the rate of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability shall be paid for so long as there are minor children, rather than only for two years.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 12, 2005

Increases by $250 the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to a surviving spouse: (1) of a member of the Armed Forces who dies while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability; and (2) who, at the time of the member's death, has one or more children under 18 years of age.

Repeals a provision that limits the duration of such increase to two years (thereby continuing the payment until all such dependents attain age 18).

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, effective on December 1, 2005, to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to such additional compensation.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Michaud, Michael H. [D-ME-2] · D–ME

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 25, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Apr 12, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 12, 2005
Introduced in House
Apr 12, 2005
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 12, 2005 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Feb 7, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1573 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1573, 109th Congress: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that the increase of $250 per month in the rate of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability shall be paid for so long as there are minor children, rather than only for two years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/1573

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr1573/BILLS-109hr1573ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T16:13:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1573 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1573 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1573, 109th Congress: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that the increase of $250 per month in the rate of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability shall be paid for so long as there are minor children, rather than only for two years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/1573

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr1573/BILLS-109hr1573ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T16:13:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1573 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1573 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1573, 109th Congress: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that the increase of $250 per month in the rate of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability shall be paid for so long as there are minor children, rather than only for two years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/1573

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr1573/BILLS-109hr1573ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T16:13:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1573 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1573 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1573, 109th Congress: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that the increase of $250 per month in the rate of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payable to a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability shall be paid for so long as there are minor children, rather than only for two years.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/1573

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-04-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr1573/BILLS-109hr1573ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2024-02-07T16:13:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1573 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.