On Thursday evening, President Barack Obama signed the bill passed by both the House and Senate to provide families of fallen troops the benefits they deserve during the government shutdown, the Associated Press reports.
The move comes after White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said earlier in the day that such legislation was unnecessary because the nonprofit group Fischer House had offered to cover the expenses until the shutdown ends. The federal government would have then reimbursed the organization.
Picture of the American cemetery in taken on October, 3 2013. The United States limped into day three of a government shutdown on October 3, 2013 with President Barack Obama warning markets that the crisis could trigger a catastrophic US debt default. The federal government shutdown extends beyond the United States borders with military cemeteries in Europe and elsewhere closed, officials say. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Regardless of how the White House made the decision to OK the bill, the right decision was made and the families of America's fallen troops can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Pentagon typically pays out $100,000 within three days of a service member's death. Twenty-nine members of the military have died during active duty since parts of the government shut down on Oct. 1.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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