Senate chaplain chides body over veteran benefits

Dring the 2013 U.S. government shutdown, when the U.S. Senate Chaplain, Barry Black, publicly criticized Congress for failing to protect benefits for the families of fallen service members.

At the time, the government shutdown had disrupted many federal programs. One of the most controversial effects was a delay in the payment of death gratuity benefits—a $100,000 payment normally provided quickly to the families of U.S. military personnel killed while serving. Because of the shutdown, these payments were temporarily suspended, causing distress for grieving families.

In his opening prayer before the Senate, Barry Black departed from his usual nonpolitical tone and urged lawmakers to end the political stalemate. He prayed:

“It’s time for our lawmakers to say, ‘Enough is enough.'”

He asked for Congress to put aside partisan disagreements and act in the interest of the American people and military families.

In simple terms

The headline means that:

• The Senate chaplain criticized the Senate (“chides body”) during a prayer.
• His criticism was prompted by the delay of benefits to the families of fallen soldiers during the government shutdown.
• He urged lawmakers to stop political fighting and ensure that veterans and military families received the support they deserved.

The incident became widely reported because Senate chaplains rarely make such direct public appeals to lawmakers, making his remarks particularly noteworthy during the shutdown.