By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, DC – A proposal from an Alabama senator will get top treatment in the U-S Senate. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee says he will give priority to Senator Jeff Sessions' plan to enhance military death benefits. The proposal would raise the death gratuity from about 12 thousand dollars to 100 thousand dollars. In a written statement, Sessions said he's pleased the bill will receive priority treatment, and he says he's confident Congress will respond. Sessions will formally introduce the HEROES Act of 2005 on Monday. It stands for Honoring Every Requirement Of Exemplary Service. It would provide 100 thousand dollars to the families of soldiers who are killed in combat. The gratuity would be retroactive to cover Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.