To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize a "child only" annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan of the Armed Forces when there is a surviving spouse in the case of a member of the Armed Forces dying on active duty during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on November 23, 2003.

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 10, 2004

Amends Federal armed forces provisions concerning the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to require the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an SBP annuity to the dependent child or children of a member of the armed forces who dies while serving on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 (currently on or after November 24, 2003), instead of paying such annuity to a surviving spouse, if such Secretary determines it appropriate to do so.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1] · R–KY

Committees

Armed Services Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Feb 10, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Feb 10, 2004
Introduced in House
Feb 10, 2004
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 · Feb 10, 2004 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: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3792 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.3792, 108th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize a "child only" annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan of the Armed Forces when there is a surviving spouse in the case of a member of the Armed Forces dying on active duty during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on November 23, 2003.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3792

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-02-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3792/BILLS-108hr3792ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:47Z. 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.3792 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.3792 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.3792, 108th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize a "child only" annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan of the Armed Forces when there is a surviving spouse in the case of a member of the Armed Forces dying on active duty during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on November 23, 2003.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3792

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-02-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3792/BILLS-108hr3792ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:47Z. 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.3792 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.3792 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.3792, 108th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize a "child only" annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan of the Armed Forces when there is a surviving spouse in the case of a member of the Armed Forces dying on active duty during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on November 23, 2003.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3792

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-02-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3792/BILLS-108hr3792ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:47Z. 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.3792 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.3792 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.3792, 108th Congress: To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize a "child only" annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan of the Armed Forces when there is a surviving spouse in the case of a member of the Armed Forces dying on active duty during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on November 23, 2003.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3792

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-02-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3792/BILLS-108hr3792ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:18:47Z. 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.3792 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.