1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Congressional Death Benefit Elimination Act of 2013”.
Congressional Death Benefit Elimination Act of 2013
A BILL
To prohibit the payment of death gratuities to the surviving heirs of deceased Members of Congress.
2. Prohibiting payment of gratuities to survivors of members of Congress
Prohibition— No payment may be made from the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives, the contingent fund of the Senate, or any other appropriated funds for a death gratuity payment to the widow, widower, or heirs-at-law of any Member of Congress who dies after the commencement of the Congress to which the Member has been elected.
No effect on other payments to survivors— Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to prohibit or affect the payment to any individual of any unpaid balance or salary or other sums due to a Member of Congress who dies after the commencement of the Congress to which the Member has been elected.
3. Definition
For purposes of this Act, a Member of Congress means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
4. Effective date
This Act shall apply with respect to any death occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act.