LYNN – State Rep. Chris Walsh testified before the Joint Committee on Veteran and Federal Affairs hearing in Lynn on June 9 for a bill he filed that would simplify the eligibility requirements for veterans during the Persian Gulf War to be eligible for a bonus.

Currently, only Army National Guard, Air National Guard, or reserve soldiers would get a bonus. This bill will add regular army to the list of soldiers eligible for the Persian Gulf War Bonus.

Walsh characterized this as a matter of equity.  

“The oversight of not giving bonuses to certain soldiers in the Persian Gulf War should be ratified to ensure the fairness to all soldiers. Those veterans should be commended for their courage and bravery for supporting the war by closing the loophole in the law," said Walsh in a press release. “The change in the law would not only benefit veterans across the Commonwealth, but many of the veterans who are in Framingham.”