Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1097, I call up the bill (H.R. 2499) to amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that a disability or death of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by any of certain diseases is the result of the performance of such employees duty, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. 2499, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, across the country, roughly 15,000 firefighters employed by the Federal Government currently work to fight wildfires, respond to hurricanes, protect military and Veterans' Affairs facilities, and keep our communities safe.
Like all firefighters, Federal firefighters face enormous health risks in order to carry out their heroic work. On any given day, a Federal firefighter will be exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, diesel smoke, toxic chemicals, and other serious hazards.
This routine exposure can have lifelong health consequences for firefighters. Research confirms that firefighters are far more likely than other workers to contract leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and lung, brain, and digestive cancers.
Simply put, firefighting is critical but dangerous work. The least we can do to support firefighters who become injured or sick on the job is to help them secure the compensation and medical care they need for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, we are falling short of fulfilling that obligation to Federal firefighters.
Today, 49 States help firefighters access workers' compensation by providing a presumption that certain diseases are work-related, yet no such protection exists for Federal firefighters. The gap in access is not only fundamentally unfair to Federal firefighters; it also leaves them with the steep challenge of proving, on their own, that their illnesses are work-related.
The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2021, led by the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal), takes critical steps to address the problem and strengthen Federal firefighters' access to workers' compensation.
By updating Federal law, this bill would provide Federal firefighters with a presumption that certain illnesses are work related. Importantly, it plans for the future by allowing anyone to propose additions to the list of presumed illnesses, and it authorizes the Department of Labor to use the rulemaking process to make those additions.
We must swiftly pass this bill to provide Federal firefighters who are injured or become sick on the job, and their families, with the support they have always deserved.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal), the sponsor of the legislation.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished majority leader of the United States House of Representatives.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), a member of the Committee on Education and Labor.
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I stand in support of the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act. Right now, 340,000 acres are burning in New Mexico, are burning in my district as a result of the Hermits Peak, Cerro Pelado, and Cook fires. The fires have destroyed hundreds of homes and tens of thousands more are at risk and were evacuated. Our towns and villages are engulfed by the billowing smoke that accompanies these fires. The fires threaten generations of livelihoods and culture as well as our watersheds.
There are no words, no words at all that can convey my gratitude for the nearly 3,000 firefighters currently on the ground in New Mexico working to save our lands, our homes, our lives, and our future.
These firefighters have a long road ahead of them. We are told that the fires will not be contained until the monsoon rains come, which we pray is in July. That is more than 2 months from now. They have already been at it for a month. Two more months that firefighters will spend directly exposed to smoke, stress, heat, and toxic substances.
It is simply wrong that the Federal firefighters are not guaranteed the care and compassion as most State firefighters when it comes to health coverage. Firefighters are more likely than any other worker to contract lung, brain, kidney, and digestive cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act would remedy this gross oversight and ensure that Federal firefighters, who risk their lives the same as any other, are afforded the same health care protections. Last month, as we considered this bill in committee, I met with firefighters who shared the story of Chris, who spent his last days fighting to get coverage for his cancer so that his family would not be burdened with that medical debt.
Our firefighters should fight fires. They shouldn't have to fight in the last days of their lives to get medical coverage.
I thank the Federal firefighters who are risking their lives to protect the beautiful land I call home. Sadly, my story of loss is shared across the West. We all owe more than gratitude to our Federal firefighters. They deserve not just our gratitude, but our action and our protections. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the Congressional Fire Services Institute, which documents the importance of passing this legislation. Congressional Fire Services Institute, Arlington, VA, March 30, 2022. Hon. Bobby Scott, Chairman, House Committee on Education and Labor, Washington, DC. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Ranking Member, House Committee on Education and Labor, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Foxx: The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) has long been an advocate for issues affecting firefighter health and wellness. Due to the nature of their jobs--including exposure to toxic chemicals, stress, and other extreme conditions in the line of duty--firefighters in the United States are at risk for a number of diseases, such as heart disease, lung disease, and various cancers. It is vital that firefighters who are severely impacted by these devastating health conditions receive proper benefits and compensation.
The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act would advance federal firefighter health and safety by creating a rebuttable presumption that federal firefighters who become disabled by heart disease, lung disease, and certain cancers contracted such illnesses on the job. This legislation will go a long way towards helping federal firefighters and their families, as well as ensuring that federal firefighters are eligible to receive the same benefits as their compatriots employed at the state and local levels.
Forty-nine states have already recognized that these illnesses are occupational hazards of fire fighting and have enacted laws providing presumptive disability benefits to firefighters employed by state and local governments who contract such illnesses. It is important that all of our nation's firefighters have the assurance that they can receive the benefits they need and deserve when their health is on the line.
We look forward to working with you on the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act. Sincerely, Bill Webb, Executive Director, Congressional Fire Services Institute.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), a member of the Committee on Education and Labor.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), a member of the Committee on Education and Labor and chair of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record two letters: one from the American Federation of Government Employees in support of the legislation, and a joint letter signed by the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, Washington, DC, March 9, 2022. Hon. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott, Chairman, House Education and Labor Committee, Washington, DC. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Ranking Member, House Education and Labor Committee, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Foxx, and Members of the Committee: On behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE), which represents over 700,000 federal and District of Columbia employees including thousands of firefighters across the country, we write to express our strong support for H.R. 2499, the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act and urge the committee to vote to approve this bill through markup and onto the House floor for a vote.
This bipartisan bill introduced by Representative Salud Carbajal would bring parity for federal firefighters with their state, county, and municipal counterparts by creating an automatic presumption of disability for workers compensation for firefighters who develop heart disease or certain forms of cancer. This bill would bring fairness and dignity to firefighters protecting and serving the American people. The difficult pathway to secure workers' compensation would be eased for our nation's heroes. They would finally get the financial support they deserve for putting their lives on the line.
Federal firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve the American people. Most federal firefighters are located at military facilities. These federal firefighters have specialized training to respond to emergencies involving aircraft, ships, and munitions. Federal firefighters at the Department of Veterans Affairs serve civilians and veterans including chronically ill and bedridden patients. Federal firefighters provide emergency medical services, crash rescue services, and hazardous material containment, as well as fighting fires. Firefighters are frequently exposed to smoke, asbestos, particulate matter, and various toxic chemicals, all of which can cause cancer. These civil servants and American heroes deserve the highest quality data and best public health solutions to help prevent, detect, and treat work-related illnesses.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted studies about the prevalence of cancer among firefighters; however, these studies have had two critical flaws: 1) the sample sizes were too small; and 2) they do not include many minority populations. This limited NIOSH's ability to draw productive statistical conclusions from their data. More comprehensive public health data must be collected to develop solutions to preventing the elevated rates of cancer in firefighters. Despite these data limitations, NIOSH researchers recently completed a study of disease incidence and mortality among 30,000 urban firefighters, which confirmed an elevated risk of dying from mesothelioma, lymphoma, and other forms of cancer.
AFGE strongly urges you to support H.R. 2499, the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act and vote to move this bill through the House Education and Labor Committee. For questions or more information please contact Fiona Kohrman. Sincerely, Julie N. Tippens, Legislative Director. ____ AFL-CIO, IAFC, March 14, 2022. Hon. Bobby Scott, Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Ranking Member, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Foxx: On behalf of the 326,000 professional fire fighters and emergency medical responders of the International Association of Fire Fighters, including 3,500 federal fire fighters, and approximately 12,000 fire and EMS leaders of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, we write in full support of H.R. 2499, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act and thank you for marking up the bill. This bipartisan legislation would extend a presumption of occupational illness to federal fire fighters for a limited number of health conditions which studies have indicated are caused by the federal fire fighters' emergency response duties.
Federal fire fighters have some of the most hazardous and sensitive jobs in the country. While protecting our national interests on military installations, federal research laboratories, homeland security facilities, and veterans' hospitals, federal fire fighters are routinely exposed to carcinogenic smoke, toxic substances, high heat, and stress. The cumulative effect of repetitive exposures place fire fighters at an increased risk of developing occupational diseases such as cancers, heart, and lung disease.
In recognition of this fact, 49 states have enacted laws which provide presumptive benefits to fire who routinely combat fires and mitigate hazardous materials incidents side by side with fire fighters from municipal and state fire departments covered by these presumptive laws.
Securing presumptive benefits is critical to obtaining coverage of occupational illness and disease from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. Absent a presumptive benefit, federal fire fighters experience delayed access to critically needed medical care, salary, and health insurance benefits. Instead, federal fire fighters must engage in a prolonged administrative process in which they are required to demonstrate with specificity the precise exposure(s) which caused their occupational illness. Cases of cancer are particularly hard to prove--fire fighters must identify the carcinogen to which they were exposed, the duration of each exposure, and the location of the exposure. These requirements fail to recognize the chaotic environment in which fire fighters operate and the cumulative impact of multiple exposures to many different carcinogens over a fire fighter's career. The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act will reduce or eliminate many of the cumbersome and often unattainable requirements currently impeding federal fire fighters from expedited access to the benefits they need and deserve.
Thank you again for your work on this important issue. Labor and management appreciate your consideration of H.R. 2499 and urge the committee to swiftly advance the bill to help ensure all our nation's domestic defenders are provided the care and benefits they need and deserve. Sincerely, Edward A. Kelly,
General President, International Association of Fire Fighters. Fire Chief Kenneth W. Stuebing, BHSc, CCP(f),
President and Board Chair, International Association of Fire Chiefs.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the Statement of Administration Policy in support of this legislation. Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 2499--Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022--Rep. Carbajal, D- CA, and 203 cosponsors
The Administration expresses its deep gratitude and admiration for America's firefighters, who brave extraordinarily challenging conditions and dangers to protect our communities, property, and natural resources from increasingly intense and frequent fires. In recognition of their courage and the strong evidence of the physical toll that their service has on their health, the Administration supports passage of H.R. 2499, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022.
When a federal employee sustains a work-related injury or disease, the Federal Employees' Compensation Act provides monetary support, medical benefits, and other assistance to help the employee recover and return to work. The program also provides benefits to dependents if a work-related injury or disease causes death.
H.R. 2499 would support federal firefighters by facilitating easier access to critical resources that will help them and their families recover from the trauma and physical harms brought on by their hazardous line of work. Specifically, the bill lists health conditions, such as several forms of cancer or a heart attack or stroke that occurs shortly after battling a fire, that are deemed to be caused by a firefighter's employment. The bill also includes a process for expanding the list as new diseases are identified and linked to firefighting based on scientific evidence.
The President has prioritized addressing the harmful health effects of environmental exposures, particularly among our nation's veterans. This bill is consistent with the Administration's support for expanding access to benefits and services for those harmed by hazards faced in the line of duty.
Additionally, as part of his broader health agenda, the President remains committed to ending cancer as we know it. This includes significant investments in biomedicine and reigniting the cancer moonshot initiative with a goal of reducing the cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years.
Record-setting temperatures, long-term drought, and volatile weather patterns, exacerbated by climate change, have increased the risks and stress for America's 15,000 federal firefighters. When federal firefighters suffer from health conditions associated with their jobs, they and their families deserve the full array of federal benefits to which they are entitled. The Administration looks forward to working with Congress to enact this bipartisan legislation and continue supporting our federal firefighters.
Mr. Speaker, firefighting has always been a dangerous occupation but in the past few years, it has been particularly difficult for our Nation's firefighters. From battling the unprecedented wildfires across the country to grappling with personnel shortages, Federal firefighters have had to continue their lifesaving work with fewer resources and support.
As we are debating this bill today, Federal firefighters are working alongside others to contain the megafire that is engulfing the State of New Mexico. We thank them for their service, but we should honor them with more than just words. If we are to address the challenges that Federal firefighters face, then we must provide Federal firefighters with at least the same protections that firefighters enjoy at State and local levels.
Simply put, we cannot expect these heroic workers to continue putting themselves in danger for our safety if we cannot ensure that they and their families will have adequate access to compensation and benefits when they need them.
The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act is the solution we need to improve the lives of Federal firefighters and ensure that when they become sick or injured in the line of duty, they will have the support they need to care for themselves and their families.
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal) for his leadership on this issue, and I urge all Members to join me in standing behind our Federal firefighters.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 7 of House Resolution 1097, I rise to offer amendments en bloc.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, there are eight amendments in this en bloc amendment:
One by the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan), which includes a review of the science on gynecological cancers to study the potential risk and connection between fire protection activities and the likelihood of developing those cancers.
One offered by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), which adds a study regarding the health and safety impacts on firefighters from exposure to toxic chemicals on the job.
One from the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton) that requires the Secretary to notify Congress when approving or denying petitions to add diseases to the list.
One from the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib), to add an annual reporting requirement with data on firefighters with diseases covered by the act and recommendations for additional steps be taken to minimize the risk of adverse health impacts for firefighters.
One by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres), to require the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to conduct a comprehensive study of long-term health impacts from smoke exposure and other working conditions on Federal wildlands firefighters who receive workers' compensation benefits.
And another by Mrs. Torres to include a review of the science of rhabdomyolysis and the likelihood of a connection between firefighting work and that disorder.
Mr. Speaker, these amendments make meaningful improvements to the bill. I urge a ``yes'' vote on en bloc No. 1, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Sherrill), a member of the Committee on Education and Labor.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Houlahan).
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, could you advise how much time is remaining on both sides?
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, and let me also thank the author of this bill, Congressman Carbajal, for his leadership.
It is time for this legislation for America's firefighters. I support H.R. 2499, Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022.
Firefighters put their lives on the line, make extraordinary sacrifices, keep us safe, protect us from bodily harm. It is imperative that we return the favor through the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act.
I don't think we can save a life with delay. I don't think we can save a life with putting this bill on the table. What we can say is the time is now.
The legislation has solid bipartisan support because it makes sense to apply to Federal firefighters the same support structure that State and local firefighters have. To do otherwise would be an injustice. It would simply be a shame.
They fight fires alongside each other. When residents are at risk and buildings are ablaze, there is no distinction. There are thousands of them that are dispatched to those wildfires. We need to give them help.
H.R. 2499 levels the playing field. My amendment, however, enhances this bill. It would reinforce that message by elevating awareness of the health and safety impacts that firefighters face through exposure to toxins and other contaminants.
It has been determined through science, research, that firefighters are exposed to more toxins than ever before. As it relates to other health matters, more of them die of cancer, if you will, in the line of duty. But more firefighters are dying overall of cancer.
Such contaminants are encountered at the site of a fire by materials that were incinerated by the fire, particularly carcinogens, asbestos, household chemicals, and polymers, as well as flame-retardant chemicals used to extinguish a fire.
The contaminants also remain with the firefighter thereafter in their clothing, automobiles, and other means of toxic transmission. They take it home. Such lingering toxicity can also impact the health and safety of the firefighters' family members, which this amendment will help look at, which can weigh heavily in the thoughts of a firefighter in the course of their work.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. The Jackson Lee amendment embodies the important and fundamental idea that we have an obligation to ensure that firefighters who protect our loved ones have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they and their loved ones are safe while they do their duty, undertaking heroic actions to protect the public.
I am passionate about the work of these firefighters. I work with them all the time in Texas and, particularly, in Houston. They are the ones that are called in a freeze. They are called in a fire. They are called in a tornado. They are called in a hurricane. All these matters expose them to toxins.
It is important that Federal firefighters, along with State and local firefighters, have these protections.
The GAO study will be provided by the Jackson Lee amendment, and all will be better off. I ask my colleagues to support the amendment.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2499, the ``Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022.''
Firefighters put their lives on the line and make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and protect us from bodily harm. It's imperative that we return the favor, and through the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, we take a major step toward preserving their health and securing their lives following their firefighting service.
This legislation has solid bipartisan support because it makes sense to apply to federal firefighters the same support structure as state and local firefighters. To do otherwise would be an injustice. They fight fires alongside each other. When residents are at risk and buildings are ablaze, there is no distinction according to the jurisdiction under which they work.
H.R. 2499 levels the playing field, ensuring that federal firefighters who face health challenges won't also have to face bureaucratic challenges that state and local governments do not impose on their firefighters.
My amendment to H.R. 2499 would reinforce that message by elevating awareness of the health and safety impacts that firefighters face through exposure to toxins and other contaminants.
Such contaminants are encountered at the site of a fire by materials that were incinerated by the fire, such as carcinogens, asbestos, household chemicals, and polymers, as well as flame retardant chemicals used to extinguish a fire.
The contaminants can also remain with the firefighter thereafter in their clothing, automobiles, and other means of toxic transmissions. Such lingering toxicity can also impact the health and safety of a firefighter's family members, which can weigh heavily into the thoughts of a firefighter in the course of their work.
The Jackson Lee amendment embodies the important and fundamental idea that we have an obligation to ensure that firefighters who protect our loved ones have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they and their loved ones are safe while they do their duty, undertaking heroic actions to protect the public.
I am passionate about the work of those who dedicate themselves to public service, such as firefighters who are among the ultimate public servants, placing their lives in harm's way to save strangers.
In the case of large-scale fires--whether they involve buildings in urban areas, homes in any environment, or forest fires--the risk of firefighters' exposure to a variety of toxins and contaminants is commensurate with the scope and intensity of the fire they are fighting. Large-scale fires thus amplify the risks of exposure.
It is important that federal, state, and local officials consider all of these risks and make plans to preserve health and safety, partly as a matter of fairness and responsibility, and partly to ensure strong morale among firefighters who respond to these emergencies.
The GAO study that will be provided by the Jackson Lee amendment will report on what is being done to address these needs. The review will also consider the effects on high-risk urban areas and rural communities, and may recommend appropriate actions pursuant to their conclusions.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for bringing this very important bipartisan legislation to the Floor today.
I urge all my colleagues to support the bill, including the Jackson Lee amendment and the entire en bloc amendment.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I have one additional speaker, and then I will close. And I believe that the gentlewoman from North Carolina has the right to close.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Tlaib).
Mr. Speaker, these amendments make meaningful improvements to the bill, and I hope they will be adopted. I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, for the reasons articulated by the gentleman from Ohio, I support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
We have heard during the debate that the bill gives too much power to the Department of Labor by giving it unfettered discretion to add diseases to a list of presumptive benefits. That is not correct.
Any decision by the Department of Labor to add or not to add a disease to the list is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, which prohibits arbitrary or capricious decisions.
The bill also spells out the basis for those decisions: a disease can only be added if the Secretary determines, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, that firefighters have a significant risk of developing that disease. These are limits on discretion that agencies and the courts are familiar with.
We have also heard that the bill is unnecessary because the Department of Labor published a bulletin sending some high-priority firefighter illness claims to a special claims unit for streamlined claim processing.
There is a significant difference between a bulletin written by one administration that a later administration can simply revoke, and a law with mandatory, nondiscretionary duties.
Instead of depending on decisions by a medical adviser about whether a firefighter has proven that his or her illness was caused by his on- the-job efforts, this bill establishes clear presumptions that workers can actually rely on.
Moreover, the administration's bulletin cuts off its special claims procedures for diseases that develop more than 10 years after a firefighter left his job. We know that many diseases on the list can take more than 10 years to develop. Mesothelioma, for example, typically takes as much as 30 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
The underlying bill does not have that shortcoming.
We have heard that we should wait and do more studies. Mr. Speaker, this bill has been introduced in every Congress for 20 years. If we believe that we and our Federal firefighters have waited 20 years and if there are studies that need to be done, those studies should have been done. State and local firefighters have enjoyed the protections of this bill during those 20 years, and it is about time that our Federal firefighters get those same protections.
We have heard that this is extraordinary to provide firefighters with a benefit based on a presumption and that somehow that is unfair. But we have already had other categories of Federal employees who are accorded benefits based on some presumptions.
The energy workers program provides certain Department of Energy employees and contractors presumption-based benefits for the cancers and other illnesses that they are at a heightened risk of developing.
Similarly, the Department of Veterans Affairs presumes that certain conditions and disabilities were caused by military service. For example, Vietnam veterans diagnosed with certain cancers who were exposed to Agent Orange are presumed to have service-related disability. There are other programs such as the black lung benefits program and the program for 9/11 first responders at the World Trade Center which likewise operate in many cases based on presumptions.
Finally, as we have mentioned many times, 49 States already offer presumptive benefits to firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers and heart and lung diseases. This bill is in line with other examples of presumptive benefits available to workers who have a high-risk occupation and a high risk of contracting certain diseases.
Federal firefighters have waited long enough for Congress to respond, and we must finally give them the opportunity to secure the benefits that they need and deserve.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment and a ``yes'' vote on the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source