The IAFF has announced its top legislative priorities for the 119th Congress, ahead of the 2025 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
While the union advocates for various bills to advance firefighters’ interests, these bills will be the primary focus of the IAFF’s Government Affairs division lobbying efforts over the next two years.
Building on wins from the 118th Congress, including the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act and the Fire Grants and Safety Act, the IAFF is focused on achieving key victories with the newly sworn-in Congress.
These legislative priorities include the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, Public Safety Officer Free Speech Act, PFAS Alternatives Act, Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, 9/11 Responders and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act, Wildfire Preparedness and Response Act and the Federal Firefighters Families First Act.
Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND); Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes the sacrifices those in the fire service make by including firefighter cancer deaths as line-of-duty deaths under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program, thereby extending death, educational, and other benefits to their survivors.
Endorsed by the IAFF, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, Fraternal Order of Police and other first responder organizations, this bipartisan bill would ensure firefighters’ sacrifices are properly recognized.
Sponsors: Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO); Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Steve Cohen (D-TN)
The bipartisan Public Safety Officer Free Speech Act reaffirms firefighters’ right to speak on job-related issues, such as safety and working conditions, and ensures they can express their views without fear of retaliation. It also makes clear firefighters have the right to speak openly on administrative policies and freely share their political opinions in their personal capacity.
Sponsors: Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Sam Graves (R-MO)
The PFAS Alternatives Act would secure funding for the research and development of the next generation of PFAS-free protective gear for firefighters. It also ensures firefighters are intimately involved in the development process to create protective gear that is functional, safe, and free of harmful toxins.
Occupational cancer is the biggest threat facing firefighters today. The bipartisan PFAS Alternatives Act is critical to the IAFF’s mission of combatting this growing epidemic and keeping fire fighters safe as they serve their communities.
Sponsors: Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Pete Stauber (R-MI); Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
Collective bargaining is critical for the safety and well-being of not only firefighters, but the communities they serve. Anti-worker interest groups are trying strip firefighters of their rights to voice their concerns about workplace issues, such as pay and benefits, safety on the job, staffing and more.
The IAFF supports this bipartisan bill to protect firefighters’ rights in the workplace and urges Congress to support those who serve our communities.
Sponsors: Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY); Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Following the tragedy of Sept. 11th, Congress established the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) to provide health benefits to first responders and other survivors who developed medical conditions because of the toxins released from the collapse of the WTC.
More than 135,000 enrollees in all 50 states are part of the program today. But, the funding formula for the program is failing and without reforms, the WTCHP will no longer be able to pay out benefits by 2029.
The 9/11 Responders and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act would adjust the funding formula, ensuring the WTCHP can continue providing benefits until 2090.
Sponsors: Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
The Wildfire Preparedness and Response Act aims to improve firefighter training, equipment, and coordination between federal, state, and local agencies to tackle the growing threat from wildfires.
The bill also streamlines emergency response, cuts bureaucratic red tape that prevents federal firefighters from assisting during wildfires and strengthens wildfire training for firefighters who typically only face structural or vehicle fires during their normal work.
Sponsors: Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
The bipartisan Federal Firefighters Families First Act would limit federal firefighter workweeks to 60 hours, ensuring a more reasonable work-life balance for those on the frontlines. The bill also reforms federal fire fighter pensions by including their full overtime hours in their retirement calculations.
These bills will be the primary focus of the IAFF’s Government Affairs division lobbying efforts over the next two years. The legislative priorities are designed to help firefighters at every stage of their career.
