Following multiple reports of furloughed military benefits to families of deceased soldiers, Senate Chaplain Barry Black condemned Congressional gridlock and asked in a prayer to "cover our shame," POLITICO reported.
Black uttered the morning prayer on Wednesday after two weeks of chiding members of Congress for not effectively working together.
"Lord, when our federal shutdown delays payments of death benefits to the families of children dying on faraway battlefields, it's time for our lawmakers to say, 'Enough is enough.' Cover our shame with the robe of your righteousness. Forgive us, reform us and make us whole," Black said.
Black, a Seventh-Day Adventist, is the 62nd Chaplain of the Senate and a retired vice admiral.
Although the House is expected to pass a bill on Wednesday to refund the death payments to families of fallen troops, the Senate has declined most funding bills from their counterpart.
"It isn't enough, it isn't nearly enough," said Majority Whip Dick Durbin, speaking after the Chaplain's speech and criticizing Republicans for picking and choosing only parts of the government to fund. "Why are we doing this? Is this part of the Republican strategy? Sick babies, mothers unprepared to deliver? Is that part of their strategy? Is that their leverage for what they want to achieve? If it is, I have three words for them: Enough is enough."
News of the death benefits have outraged many on Capitol Hill including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a former Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner of war.
"Shouldn't we be ashamed?" McCain asked on the Senate floor Tuesday.
In response to the suspended benefits, the Fisher House Foundation, a veterans organization, has pledged grants for affected military families until the government shutdown comes to a close. It will reportedly cover flights, hotels, and other expenses for family members. Ken Fisher, CEO of the foundation, collaborated with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) after hearing about the benefits delay.
