U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge still isn't happy with how the U.S. Department of Justice is handling his "Hometown Heroes" bill.
Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat, authored the bill so the survivors of first responders and law enforcement officers who die from heart attacks or strokes in the line of duty can receive survivor benefits. President Bush signed it into law in 2003, but the program has had anything but an easy start.
First, the Justice Department took more than two years to develop final rules for the program, forcing families to wait for benefits. Etheridge agitated for the agency to speed its process, Barb Barrett reports.
Now, Etheridge says he isn't happy with a re-write of the rules.
This afternoon, Etheridge will send U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey a letter saying the new proposed regulations could reduce the number of public safety officers who are eligible for the program.
Etheridge said he fears the changes could make survivors of officers who die during voluntary training programs — as opposed to mandatory programs — ineligible for benefits.
He also worries about new paperwork requirements for survivors.
"It was not the intent of Congress to have bereaved families jump through hoops to get a benefit they deserve," Etheridge wrote.
Etheridge said he was surprised to see the rule changes proposed this summer after thinking they already had been finalized for good.
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