Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, America's law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus. Over 100 public safety officers tragically lost their lives due to COVID-19, and that number will inevitably continue to rise.

During this challenging time, it is critical that we ensure our officers and their loved ones can utilize the Department of Justice's Public Safety Officers' Benefits program.

The PSOB program was created to aid officers killed or totally disabled on the job. The program reviews over 1,000 claims submitted every year and provides one-time payments of roughly $365,000 for officers who lost their lives or who were totally disabled in the line of duty. The program also provides monthly education benefits to the children of these officers.

While nothing can ever replace a loved one, this program gives our first responders peace of mind, knowing that their families will be taken care of should the worst happen.

However, to receive benefits under current law, first responders must prove they contracted COVID-19 while on duty. Both Republicans and Democrats agree: Congress must amend the PSOB program to create a presumption allowing officers and their families to receive assistance without facing this burdensome requirement.

Unfortunately, the majority in the House is delaying these important benefits. The Senate passed S. 3607, the bipartisan Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020, and they did this about 2 weeks ago.

If House Democrats were actually serious about getting these benefits to public safety officers, we would pass the Senate bill today and send it to the President to sign into law. Instead, House Democrats are again engaging in political games, rejecting the Senate's bill and taking up the House's bill, which includes several problematic provisions that the Senate will simply not agree to.

I am very disappointed that the Democrat majority would rather play partisan politics than provide immediate assistance to brave, selfless men and women who are protecting our communities. However, I agree with the primary intent of this legislation, and I strongly support our Nation's dedication to public safety officers.

A few days ago, we honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in the armed services. It is only right that we take care of first responders, who are also making sacrifices every day for this great country.

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Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am disappointed that we are not taking up the bipartisan Senate-passed POS bill that had a clean fix to this issue. So I do want to say, I am disappointed that we are not running the Senate bill, which again, was bipartisan.

But I do want to say, I support our Nation's first responders, and I truly believe it is vital that they receive the benefits they have earned. So I urge my colleagues to support our Nation's public service officers.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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