Washington (December 8, 2015) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today introduced legislation that would ensure that full death benefits are extended to the families or designated beneficiaries of federal contractors who have died in service to our country as a result of a war-risk hazard or an act of terrorism. The Glen Anthony Doherty Overseas Security Personnel Fairness Act, named after the former Navy SEAL killed in the Libyan consulate attack in 2012, would remove a significant omission in federal law that currently prohibits the families of overseas contractors who are killed in the line of duty from receiving full death benefits if the deceased employee is unmarried with no children or other dependents. Doherty was unmarried without children at the time of his death. The legislation amends the Defense Base Act of 1941 to allow the payment of death benefits otherwise due a widow, widower, or surviving child of an individual employed at a military, air, or naval base outside of the United States to the surviving next of kin when there is no person eligible for a death benefit.
 
Doherty was a native of Winchester, Massachusetts. The Glen Anthony Doherty Overseas Security Personnel Fairness Act was first introduced in the House of Representatives in 2014 by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston).
 
“No family in the CIA community should be left uncompensated if a family member falls in the line of duty,” said Senator Markey. “I am committed to continuing to fight for the Doherty family to get the benefits that they deserve. This issue goes to the heart of the United States government’s relationship with the families of those who are killed defending our country. Glen Doherty was dedicated to serving his nation, and it is only right that we honor his distinguished heroism and sacrifice for the Doherty family.”
 
“Diplomatic security contractors, like Glen Doherty, are doing heroic work in extremely dangerous situations overseas,” said Rep. Lynch. “At a minimum, we have a fundamental responsibility to make sure that government sanctioned insurance policies that are sold to these brave Americans provide the coverage that their families will need in the event they are killed in the line of duty. I am very pleased that my friend, Senator Ed Markey, has introduced this bill in the Senate. The Glen Anthony Doherty Overseas Security Personnel Fairness Act seeks to correct the injustice faced by the family of Glen Doherty and families in similar situations. It is a way to respect and honor the service of these courageous Americans and it's the right thing to do.”
 
A copy of the legislation can be found HERE.
 
Specifically, the Glen Anthony Doherty Overseas Security Personnel Fairness Act requires payment in such a case to:
  • A beneficiary designated by the deceased, or
  • The next of kin or the estate of the deceased under applicable state law if there is no designated beneficiary.
 
The bill requires benefits to be paid from the Employees’ Compensation Fund.
 
Last Congress, Senator Markey introduced bipartisan legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Glen A. Doherty in recognition of his contributions to the nation. Doherty and Tyrone Woods, both former combat-decorated Navy SEALS, were killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012.