Fridae

A proposed bill, which would have granted extended death benefits to gay chaplain Mychal Judge and nine other public safety officers killed on September 11, was blocked.

Survivors of gay chaplain Mychal Judge and nine other public safety officers killed on September 11 will not receive extended death benefits, which amounts to $250,000 per victim, reports the New York Post.

The Bill, which had already passed the Senate unanimously, was stopped by US House Majority Leader, Republican Dick Armey of Texas.

The proposal would have extended those benefits to the siblings or domestic partners of these 10 victims, who had no "legal" beneficiaries although current federal law only allows death benefits to go only to parents, spouses, or children of the victim.

The Post reported that sources who declined to be named said that that the legislation was pulled because lawmakers were uncomfortable extending any kind of recognition to gay partners.