(WASHINGTON, DC) – Military casualties of the Fort Hood radical Islamic terrorist attack could be eligible for the Purple Heart later this year because legislative language authored by Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) has been scheduled as an amendment to this week’s House markup of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011.

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) and Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) will introduce language that Carter originated to give casualties of the Nov. 5 mass shooting the same status as combat casualties and the casualties of the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon.

The status change would allow military personnel to receive the Purple Heart, and civilians to receive the equivalent award, the Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom. Combatant status would also guarantee that the beneficiaries of all military personnel who lost their lives in the attack would receive similar insurance, tax, family housing privileges, and other benefits awarded under combat casualty status.

Carter, Co-Chairman of the House Army Caucus, introduced the Fort Hood Families Benefits Protection Act, HR 4088, on November 17, 2009, followed by a joint House-Senate version with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on March 3, HR 4791/S 2807. Carter, who represents Fort Hood in the House, says the Defense Authorization amendment process should be the quickest and most practical way to pass the measure into law.

"If we are successful in approving the amendment here in the House this week, then Senate approval should follow," says Carter. "With identical amendments in both the House and Senate, we are all but assured the measure will make it into law with final passage of the Defense Authorization bill."

Carter also introduced the Military Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, HR 4267, on December 10, 2009 to protect service members from politically-correct disciplinary action for reporting or taking protective steps against radical Islamic threats.