Dear Colleague,

As you know, the U.S. government pays a full year’s salary to the family of a member of Congress who dies serving while in office, a death gratuity created decades ago that was intended to serve as a form of life insurance.

However, its existence today is more difficult to justify, particularly when every other American purchases their own life insurance. As Members of Congress, we are paid more and have access to more resources than most Americans. It is time for us to end
this antiquated policy and do what other Americans do, purchase our own life insurance.

This issue concerns the proper use of taxpayer resources and restoring the legislative branch to a position of trust in the public eye. With so many Americans struggling to make ends meet – mostly because of bad policy coming out of Washington – this taxpayer
funded ‘gratuity’ just adds more insult to injury. It’s no wonder Americans have such a low opinion of Congress.

H.R. 3503 will end this policy and get us on the right track to restoring public trust in Congress.

To join as a co-sponsor of H.R. 3503, please contact Johnathan Sargent in my office at Johnathan.sargent@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Bill Posey

Member of Congress