Mass. Lawmaker: Recoup Benefits From Terrorists

A Republican lawmaker is pushing for a law allowing Massachusetts to recoup public benefits given to anyone later convicted of using of a weapon of mass destruction.

Gloucester state Sen. Bruce Tarr is offering the proposal as an amendment to the Senate version of the state budget.

It would allow the attorney general to recover "any and all money" from anyone convicted of the terrorist act "who has previously collected public assistance, financial assistance or received any other direct financial benefit from the state."

The money would go to benefit any victims of the attack.

State officials have confirmed that Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, his wife and toddler daughter received welfare benefits. Tsarnaev was killed in a police chase. His 19-year-old brother, Dzhohkar, was arrested.

The brothers also received welfare benefits as children through their parents.