[4] The Gold Star Fathers Act of 2014 would include as a preference eligible for federal employment purposes a parent (currently, the mother only) of either an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the Armed Forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955, or a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if: (1) the spouse of such parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (2) such parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or legally separated from his or her spouse.

[1] Under current law, mothers of certain veterans are eligible to claim preferences for civil service positions if their children are permanently disabled or deceased.

[5] Senator Brown, who introduced the bill, said that "when a service member is killed in action or permanently and totally disabled, the government should do its part to be there for grieving parents - no matter if they're fathers or mothers.

"[2] Scott Warner, an activist for Gold Star fathers, said that he hoped the bill "will bring more awareness to what's going on in surviving families.

"[2] Hearing Warner's story about losing his son in Iraq is what inspired Senator Brown to write the bill.