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HEROES Act of 2005

Introduced: January 24, 2005 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 26, 2006
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jan 26, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S550-551)
Jan 24, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Jan 24, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S253)
Jan 24, 2005
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service Act of 2005 or HEROES Act of 2005 - Increases from $12,000 to $100,000 the death gratuity payable to the survivors of members of the Armed Forces who die: (1) as a direct result of armed conflict; (2) while engaged in hazardous service; (3) in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; (4) through an instrumentality of war; or (5) in an operation or area designated as a combat operation or a combat zone.

Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an additional death gratuity of $238,000 for a member of the Armed Forces who died before the date of enactment of this Act as a direct result of one or more wounds, injuries, or illnesses that were: (1) incurred in the theater of operations of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom; or (2) as a direct result of armed conflict, while engaged in hazardous service, in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war, or through an instrumentality of war on or after October 7, 2001.

Increases the maximum amount of life insurance coverage for a member of the armed forces under servicemembers' group life insurance. Provides for $150,000 additional life insurance with no deductible due from the member for combat-related deaths. Requires spousal approval for a member to elect not to have life insurance coverage or have less than the maximum amount allowable.

What's happening now January 26, 2006

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 77: HEROES Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-77/
MLA
"S. 77: HEROES Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-77/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 77, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-77/.
Markdown link
[S. 77: HEROES Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-S-77/)
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