The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act with a vote of 235-179, according to Congressman French Hill.
The bipartisan legislation is named in part for Sharri Briley, the wife of Black Hawk pilot CW3 Donovan “Bull” Briley, a Little Rock native killed during the Battle of Mogadishu in Operation Gothic Serpent in 1993.
The legislation increases support for Gold Star spouses, families of catastrophically injured veterans, and expands VA home loan eligibility requirements for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers from 90 days of active-duty service to 14 days.
Congressman Hill said military families often carry the burden of sacrifice for decades after the loss or injury of a loved one and called the legislation an important step forward for veterans and their families.
Hill also praised Sharri Briley for her years of advocacy supporting Gold Star families and veterans across Arkansas and the nation.
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