Congresswoman Scanlon’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Firefighters with Service-Related Cancers Heads to the President’s Desk

Congresswoman Scanlon's Bipartisan Bill to Support Firefighters with Service-Related Cancers Heads to the President's Desk

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today applauded the final passage of her bipartisan bill that will expand access to federal death and disability benefits for families of firefighters and other first responders who contract service-related cancers. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, which now heads to the President's desk for signature, will expand the Public Safety Officer's Benefits Program (PSOB) to cover specific cancers linked to firefighting and emergency response, and make the expansion retroactive, so that families can claim PSOB benefits for deceased loved ones.

Today, cancer is the leading cause of death for America's firefighters. Currently, firefighters are only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program for physical injuries sustained in the line of duty or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11-related illnesses. But this program does not cover service-related cancer deaths, despite a wealth of evidence linking first responder service to developing cancer.

The bill is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and 10 other organizations representing first responders. The bill is co-led by Representatives Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Gabe Amo (RI-01). Its Senate counterpart is led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MG) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

"Every day, firefighters and police officers face exposure to deadly carcinogens that take a devastating toll long after the flames are out," said Rep. Scanlon. "I have had many conversations with the families of fallen firefighters who not only have to deal with the pain of losing a loved one, but who also face the struggle of supporting themselves financially when the primary breadwinner is gone. When first responders develop cancer because of their service, they and their families deserve our full support. That's why I spent the better part of this year working to advance my bill to close this benefits gap. In the end, we brought together 175 Democrats and Republicans over shared values: respect for service, care for grieving families, and the belief that our country must honor sacrifice not just in remembrance, but through tangible support. I am grateful to my colleagues who joined me in building bipartisan consensus for this bill, which required setting aside partisanship and focusing on our fundamental obligations to one another as a nation."

"I also want to extend a special thanks to the International Association of Fire Fighters for bringing the experiences of firefighters and their families to the forefront, ensuring that this work stayed grounded in real lives and real sacrifice," Rep. Scanlon continued. "Lastly, I'm deeply grateful to the families, advocates, and colleagues whose voices and perseverance helped turn loss into lasting change."

On December 3, 2025, Scanlon and Gimenez led a bipartisan coalition of 36 lawmakers urging congressional leadership to ensure the inclusion of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (H.R. 1269 / S. 237) in the final Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). A week later, on December 10, it passed the House, teeing it up for the Senate to clear and send to the President's desk today.

"The IAFF is thankful for the leadership demonstrated by Representatives Scanlon and Gimenez in leading the House's passage of the Honor Act. When enacted into law, the survivors of fallen fire fighters will receive the benefits that they have been denied for decades," said IAFF General President Edward A. Kelly.

Find the full bill text here.

More about the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act:

• The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would expand the Public Safety Officer's Benefits Program (PSOB) to cover certain cancers and cancer-related deaths. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and educational benefits to first responders who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. Firefighters are frequently exposed to carcinogens during their service and are more likely to develop and die from cancer as a result. Currently, the PSOB program does not cover cancer-related disabilities or death. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would expand the PSOB program to cover specific cancers linked to firefighting and emergency response, and it would make this expansion retroactive so that families can claim PSOB benefits for deceased loved ones.

• The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides benefits to the survivors of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who are killed as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. The program also provides disability benefits for first responders who become permanently or totally disabled. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

Complete list of endorsing organizations: International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Narcotics Officers' Associations' Coalition (NNOAC), and National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).

"Being a law enforcement officer is a dangerous job, and our members not only expose themselves to physical threats, but threats from hazardous environments as well. This bill finally recognizes the dangers that our officers place themselves in every day. The FOP is grateful to our allies in the House and Senate who supported our efforts," said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.

"The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) is pleased to see the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act become law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Occupational cancer-a leading cause of firefighter deaths-will now be recognized under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program, helping to align federal policy with the realities of the job and ensure that firefighters and their families receive the support they need," said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. "CFSI thanks Senators Klobuchar and Cramer, Representatives Scanlon and Gimenez, and all members of Congress who helped to pass this legislation. This marks a critical step forward in addressing the occupational cancer risks faced by our nation's firefighters."

"The IAFC is grateful to see the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act included in the NDAA and on its way to being signed into law," said Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford, the President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. "This long overdue reform ensures that the families of fire, law enforcement, and EMS personnel who die or become disabled from occupational cancer receive the federal benefits they deserve. By including occupational cancers in the Public Safety Officers' Benefits program, Congress is honoring the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes and standing firmly with the families they leave behind. We commend the bipartisan champions, including Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Carlos A. Gimenez, the bill's House sponsors, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Kevin Cramer, the bill's Senate sponsors, who advanced this critical measure and thank lawmakers in both chambers for their commitment to our nation's fire and EMS personnel," said Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford, the President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

"On behalf of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, I applaud the House for passing this important bipartisan legislation. I especially would like to thank Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and Congressman Carlos Gimenez for leading this effort," said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. "Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep their communities safe. By recognizing fire service-related cancers under the PSOB program, we ensure that those who risk their health for others receive the support they and their families deserve. I especially want to thank our brave Fire Hero Families who tirelessly advocated for the passage of this vital legislation. Their dedication, passion, and tenacity are why this bill will soon become law."

"I applaud the leadership of Representatives Scanlon and Gimenez along with Senators Klobuchar and Cramer in getting the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act signed into law. This vital legislation will do a great deal to help the families of first responders who are too often left struggling after their loved ones are killed or permanently disabled after battles with occupation related cancer," said Steve Hirsch, Chair, National Volunteer Fire Council.

"Our nation's law enforcement and public safety officers put their lives at risk each day. This certainly includes officers pulling families from polluted flood waters or rescuing children from house fires or responding to chemical spills. These acts of heroism often have long-term consequences for the officers, including exposure-related cancers. The passage of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes these cancers as line-of-duty injuries under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program and ensures that these officers and their families are protected. We thank Representatives Scanlon and Gimenez for championing this important issue and working with us in support of our nation's officers," said Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations.

"On behalf of our law enforcement officers across the nation, I want to commend Representative Scanlon for securing the inclusion of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act in the NDAA," said National President Mathew Silverman of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). "Its passage is a vital step in ensuring law enforcement officers who develop cancer due to their service receive the support and benefits they deserve. We are grateful for Representative Scanlon's leadership and proud to stand with her in advancing this essential protection for our nation's officers."

"The passage of the 'Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act' is a tremendous victory for the families of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel who succumb to job-related cancers," said President Vincent Vallelong of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association. "The 9/11 health crisis has made us well aware of the serious health risks that our members face from exposures to known carcinogens. The SBA is grateful for the leadership of Rep. Scanlon, and proud of our collaborative, bipartisan effort to ensure the inclusion of this important legislation in the final National Defense Authorization Act."

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