As hundreds of fire fighters and emergency medical workers prepare to attend the 2025 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., the IAFF is announcing its top legislative priorities for the 119th Congress.
While the union advocates for various bills to advance fire fighters’ interests, these bills will be the primary focus of the IAFF’s Government Affairs division lobbying efforts over the next two years.
Building on significant 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.
Read more about the IAFF’s key legislative priorities below:
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (H.R. 1269 / S. 237)
Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND); Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
The science is clear. The connection between occupational cancer and firefighting is undeniable, yet the federal government still does not recognize fire fighter cancer deaths as occurring in the line of duty. This omission not only dishonors fire fighters who succumbed to cancer they developed from their work, but it also leaves their families without the critical support they need during incredibly difficult times.
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes the sacrifices those in the fire service make by including fire fighter 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 fire fighters’ sacrifices are properly recognized.
To urge your members of Congress to support the Honor Act, click here.
Public Safety Officer Free Speech Act (H.R. 1443)
Sponsors: Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO); Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Fire fighters, like all Americans, have a First Amendment right to free speech. However, many IAFF members have been disciplined, suspended, or even terminated for voicing important concerns about their departments regarding staffing, equipment, workplace safety, and more.
The bipartisan Public Safety Officer Free Speech Act reaffirms fire fighters’ 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 fire fighters have the right to speak openly on administrative policies and freely share their political opinions in their personal capacity.
Click here to urge your lawmakers to support fire fighters’ right to free speech.
PFAS Alternatives Act (Pending Reintroduction)
Sponsors: Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Sam Graves (R-MO)
Due to the nature of their work, fire fighters are regularly exposed to toxic carcinogens from smoke, car exhaust, and even from harmful PFAS chemicals in their own protective gear. IAFF members risk their lives every day on the job. They deserve to have protective equipment that keeps them safe, not gear that’s covered in hazardous, cancer-causing chemicals.
The PFAS Alternatives Act would secure funding for the research and development of the next generation of PFAS-free protective gear for fire fighters. It also ensures fire fighters 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 fire fighters 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.
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (Pending Reintroduction)
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 fire fighters, but the communities they serve. Sadly, anti-worker interest groups are doing all they can to strip fire fighters of their rights to voice their concerns about workplace issues, such as pay and benefits, safety on the job, staffing, and more.
That’s why the IAFF is proud to endorse the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. This common-sense bill reaffirms the rights of fire fighters to unionize, bargain over working conditions, and establish dispute resolution processes, even in “right to work” states.
The IAFF strongly supports this bipartisan bill to protect fire fighters’ rights in the workplace and urges Congress to support those who serve our communities.
9/11 Responders and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act (H.R. 1410)
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 sadly, 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. This bill honors the sacrifices of first responders and survivors and upholds our nation’s commitment to “Never Forget” the bravery of those who risked their lives to save their neighbors and colleagues.
Click here to urge your members of Congress to support 9/11 first responders and survivors.
Wildfire Preparedness and Response Act (Pending Introduction)
Sponsors: Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Wildfires are quickly becoming one of the biggest threats facing U.S. communities. From Los Angeles and Maui to New Jersey and Massachusetts, the rate and intensity of wildfires is only increasing across the U.S., and Congress must do more to ensure our communities and the fire fighters who protect them are prepared.
The Wildfire Preparedness and Response Act aims to improve fire fighter 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 fire fighters from assisting during wildfires, and strengthens wildfire training for fire fighters who typically only face structural or vehicle fires during their normal work.
As wildfires continue to ravage communities, the IAFF is proud to endorse this common-sense legislation that will keep civilians and fire fighters safe during these intense emergencies.
Federal Firefighters Families First Act (H.R. 759)
Sponsors: Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Federal fire fighters face dangerous, high-stress jobs as they protect our military bases, federal research labs, and other key federal infrastructure. They’re asked to do this while also being made to work 72-hour weeks – nearly twice the average American’s normal work hours. This grueling schedule not only puts a physical and emotional toll on federal fire fighters, but it prevents them from seeing their families and friends and having time to rest and recover.
The bipartisan Federal Firefighters Families First Act would limit federal fire fighter 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.
The IAFF is proud to support this legislation and urges Congress to support our federal fire fighters.
