Senator Hassan Meets with Portsmouth Police Officers, Discusses Bipartisan Bill to Support Families of Fallen First Responders During National Police Week

PORTSMOUTH - On Friday, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan met with local law enforcement officers at the Portsmouth Police Department, toured the department's facility, and hosted a press conference on her bipartisan legislation to support the families of fallen first responders.

Earlier last week, Senator Hassan introduced the Relief for Families of the Fallen Act, bipartisan legislation that would allow the families of public safety officers - including police officers, firefighters, 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. The bill would also make those families eligible for refunds on any taxes already 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 gives the families of our fallen heroes the opportunity to receive financial support as they navigate their loss. It also ensures that the last thing that they have to worry about is an unexpected bill from the IRS."

"Senator Hassan has been nonstop support for New Hampshire law enforcement even back in her days as governor. Her bringing this bill forward, introducing it with someone across the aisle in Texas, means a lot. It means a lot for us." said Anthony Cattabriga, Vice President of the New Hampshire Troopers Association.

"Nobody does this job to get recognition. But occasionally when somebody takes the time to show up and show that support, it really means a lot," said Portsmouth Deputy Chief Michael Maloney. "We hope certainly no first responder ever has to use that benefit, but knowing it's there, it gives the families peace of mind moving forward as they try to move on with their lives, that they're not going to get a little reminder in a year and a half that only adds to the pain and suffering."

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