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From IAFF General President Kelly:
Brothers & Sisters,
Today, the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – which included the IAFF-endorsed Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act – by a vote of 77-20. The bill now goes to President Trump, who will sign it into law tomorrow.
I want to be clear – this is arguably the most impactful legislative victory in the history of our 107-year-old union.
The IAFF-led Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act adds occupational cancer as a line-of-duty death to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program, meaning survivors of firefighters who die from job-related cancers will now qualify for federal death and educational benefits. It puts over $461,000 in federal death benefits in the pockets of the families of our fallen.
The IAFF’s mission starts in front of a church – and that includes taking care of the families of our fallen. That’s exactly what this legislation does.
This was a truly bipartisan effort. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) were critical in gathering support among their colleagues for the bill. And Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) played a key part in helping keep the bill in the NDAA in the House.
This bill would not have passed were it not for President Trump and his team. Their backing made a real difference as the IAFF lobbied members of Congress in both chambers.
And thank you to all the IAFF members who lobbied their elected officials to make this a reality.
The IAFF’s political mission isn’t red or blue, Republican or Democrat – it’s about fire fighters, and that’s it. When your health and well-being – or the needs of your family – are on the line, our union does not waver.
Several details need to be worked out before these historic changes are implemented. We will continue to stay engaged and update you as new information becomes available. As always, you should monitor the IAFF’s website for the latest news.
Be You. Be Strong. Be Fire Fighters.
Sincerely,
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