[Mr. Bird]

$193,400 is the annual pay of the majority leader. My guess is that members are provided with a life insurance benefit equal to one year's pay. I know Byrd was not the majority leader, but his tenure and rank may have warranted a similar salary, and hence life insurance benefit.

Such an arrangement is not unusual in the private sector (actually, multiples of annual salary are frequently the benefit). I'm not going to get too worked up over this.

[fruser1]

I agree we need some more direct source info, but it is odd as described.

If it were from an insurance policy, the policy would pay. No need to vote on it.

[Mr. Bird]

Just confirmed Byrd made $193,400. Wasn’t life insurance, but it is apparently a long standing practice of the Senate that when a member dies in office, one year’s salary is dispensed to the immediate family. Not agreeing with it, just stating what it is.

[paul51]

I'm not going to get too worked up over this.

Is it Mr. Bird or Mr. Byrd?