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A new bill in the Texas House would provide survivor benefits to the families of Texas National Guard members who die in the line of duty on state-sponsored missions such as Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star.
The controversial border security initiative is an unusually long mission for the Texas National Guard. At least ten service members have died in connection with it, including one who drowned while trying to rescue migrants from the Rio Grande.
State Rep. Richard Raymond, a Democrat from Laredo, has introduced legislation that would provide life insurance-style benefits families could apply for in the event of a loss.
"It’s very, very tough to lose someone like that. Believe me, it’s a small measure — what we’re contemplating giving the family in terms of assistance. But it’s at least somewhat helpful," he explained.
"It seems likely that the soldier would be relatively young, probably with a young family,” Raymond added. “We already have this in place for others who serve the state, including first responders."
Currently, Guard members serving on state active duty only get state workers compensation death benefits. It's a fraction of what's given to those who deploy on federal missions. To make matters worse, their families often have to front the money for their funeral costs.
Raymond said he expects his bill to pass, pointing to the fact that many of his colleagues assumed Texas National Guard members already received substantial survivor benefits.
No cost assessment for the bill has been done. But Raymond said he expects the price tag will be minimal, since fatalities on state-sponsored Guard missions are relatively rare.
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