During Police Week, Senators Hassan and Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Tax Cut for Families of Fallen First Responders

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced bipartisan legislation that provides a tax cut for families of fallen first responders. The bill would allow the families of public safety officers - including police officers, fire fighters, and other first responders - who die in the line of duty to not pay federal income taxes on the fallen first responder's income for the year of their death and the preceding year, and to be eligible for refunds on any taxes paid for those years.

"First responders sacrifice for our communities each and every day, and when some make the ultimate sacrifice, we owe their surviving families our support," said Senator Hassan. "This bipartisan bill provides the families of our fallen heroes with financial support as they navigate their loss and also ensures that the last thing that they have to worry about is an unexpected bill from the IRS. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation to help support the families of our first responders."

"Public safety officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and Congress must do everything we can to support their families when the worst case scenario happens," said Senator Cornyn. "This National Police Week, I'm proud to introduce this bill to provide tax relief for the families of fallen first responders - ensuring they have one less thing to worry about as they grapple with the loss of their loved one."

The Relief for Families of the Fallen Act is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Concerns of Police Survivors, the New Hampshire Troopers Association, and the New Hampshire Police Association. The bill's introduction comes during National Police Week. The tax relief provided by the bill, which mirrors a provision provided to the families of fallen service members, helps ensure that the families or other estate beneficiaries of our heroes do not have to worry about a surprise bill during tax season. Additionally, the bill requires that the Internal Revenue Service provide this relief as quickly and easily as possible for the families of the fallen.

Senator Hassan has made supporting first responders and their families one of her top priorities in the Senate. Last December, President Trump signed her bipartisan SUPPORT Act into law, providing communities across the country with more resources to fight the fentanyl crisis. Senator Hassan has also cosponsored bipartisan legislation to make it easier for first responders to buy a home and receive mental health treatment.

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