Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act

Floor Speech

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1480, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act, or HERO Act, which was introduced by Representative Bera, and several Members of this Chamber, including Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues Burgess, Blunt Rochester, Kelly, Kuster, and Tonko.

This legislation would create a database at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to capture public safety officer suicide incidences, and studies successful interventions. It would also authorize a grant program for peer support and wellness programs for frontline healthcare workers and fire and emergency medical service agencies. The bill also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop best practices and share resources for addressing post-traumatic stress in public safety officers.

This legislation is incredibly timely. Emergency workers and doctors and nurses have been under incredible strain throughout the pandemic. Losing those who keep us healthy and safe will only make the crisis worse.

We must ensure that all the heroes across America on the front lines of healthcare and in law enforcement and public safety have the support they need to continue working to keep us safe.

Madam Speaker, this being National Police Officer Week, I think it is Memorial week, it is an important time to do all we can for those in law enforcement, but also public safety, as this bill addresses, and those on the front lines in healthcare.

So I encourage us to be in support of those on the front lines, and I urge a ``yes'' vote. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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