Senate approves bill extending benefits to families of officers who die by suicide, sending it to Biden

Washington — The Senate on Monday approved a bill that allows the families of public safety officers who die by suicide to seek death benefits, sending the measure to President Biden's desk for his signature.

The legislation, called the Public Safety Officer Support Act, was passed by the upper chamber by unanimous consent and was part of an effort to recognize the mental toll that traumatic events — including the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol — have on the law enforcement officers on the frontlines. The House cleared the bill in May with overwhelming bipartisan support, though 17 Republican lawmakers voted against it.

Crucial in pressing Congress to clear the measure was Erin Smith, whose husband, Metropolitan Police Department officer Jeffrey Smith, died by suicide in the aftermath of the Capitol assault. A 12-year veteran of the department, Jeff Smith was the target of several assaults after responding to the mob of rioters who breached the Capitol. He ended his own life nine days after the Jan. 6 attack.