Senate approves bill extending benefits to families of officers who die by suicide, sending it to Biden
CBSN
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.
The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that the U.S. food supply is still "one of the safest in the world," in the wake of a number of foodborne disease outbreaks affecting items ranging from organic carrots to deli meats to McDonald's Quarter Pounders. E. coli, listeria and other contaminants have sickened thousands of people and forced a number of recalls in recent months.
An Indian businessman who is one of the world's richest people has been indicted in the U.S. on charges he duped investors by concealing that his company's huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged $265 million bribery scheme.
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Thanksgiving dinner ingredients will cost more this year compared with last, even as food inflation cools. Fortunately, there's one simple way to save money without skimping on staple dishes for the food-driven holiday: store brands.