Hudson Bill to Complete National EMS Memorial Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Richard Hudson's (NC-09) H.R. 2196, the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Extension Act, unanimously and with bipartisan support. The bill gives the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation more time to complete the National EMS Memorial in Washington, D.C. at no cost to the taxpayer.

"Each year, 850,000 EMS professionals answer more than 30 million calls at a moment's notice. It's time we recognize these unsung heroes and honor their service with a permanent memorial in our nation's capital," said Rep. Hudson.

"EMS workers provide life-saving care, often risking their own lives in the process. Those brave men and women deserve a memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor their sacrifices. More time is needed to complete this important memorial, and I applaud Rep. Hudson for his efforts to get that timeline extended," said Rep. Westerman (R-AR).

H.R. 2196 is a clean, bipartisan extension bill. Congress first authorized the memorial in 2018, but that authority expired under the Commemorative Works Act before the project could be completed. Hudson's bill extends the authorization for an additional seven years from enactment, giving the Foundation time to complete approvals and private fundraising so the memorial can move forward.

BACKGROUND

In 2018, Congress authorized the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in Washington, D.C., honoring EMS professionals. Under the Commemorative Works Act, that authority expires after seven years unless extended.

EMS personnel are often the first to respond in moments of crisis, including natural disasters like hurricanes in North Carolina, accidents, and public health emergencies. Despite their service and sacrifice, there is still no permanent memorial in the nation's capital honoring EMS professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Department of the Interior supports H.R. 2196, and the bill was favorably reported by the House Natural Resources Committee after a legislative hearing before the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Read the full House bill text here.