H.R. 2499Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022

4 recorded actions234 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Salud O. Carbajal [D-CA-24]
Cosponsors: 203 · 176 Democrats · 27 Republicans
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Committees: Education and Workforce Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Latest action: May 12, 2022 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

IntroducedApr 14, 2021
Passed the HouseMay 11, 2022
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022

This bill makes it easier for federally employed firefighters who contract certain illnesses to qualify for federal workers' compensation.

Specifically, the bill provides that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mesothelioma, and specified other cancers of those employed in fire protection activities for at least five years are presumed to be proximately caused by such employment for purposes of a disability or death claim under the federal workers' compensation program. This presumption also applies to federal employees employed in fire protection activities for at least five years who experience a sudden cardiac event or stroke within 24 hours of performing a fire protection activity.

The bill also requires the Department of Labor to conduct a review to determine whether breast cancer, gynecological cancer, and rhabdomyolysis should be included under the presumption and to conduct periodic reviews to determine whether other diseases should be included. In addition, a person may petition Labor to include another disease under the presumption.

An employee in fire protection activities is a firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, rescue worker, ambulance personnel, or hazardous material worker who (1) is trained in fire suppression; (2) has the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression; (3) is engaged in the prevention, control, and extinguishing of fires or response to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk, including the prevention, control, suppression, or management of wildland fires; and (4) performs such activities as a primary responsibility.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 2499 as passed House on May 11, 2022. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

Roll calls on H.R. 24994 roll calls on this measure

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May 11, 2022Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveMay 11, 2022

How every member votedHouse roll call 149

House May 11, 2022 · the primary vote

On Passage

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act

Passed

288 Yea 131 Nay 9 not voting

Crossed both parties 71 of 419 voting members broke with their own party: 71 Republicans.

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How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members428 members

Democratic220 members

Republican208 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors203 · 176 Democrats · 27 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 2499 and vote against it. 3 signed when it was filed.

Loading the public record

H.R. 2499Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 24994 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 149

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors203 · 176 Democrats · 27 Republicans

H.R. 2499Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 24994 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 149

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors203 · 176 Democrats · 27 Republicans

Who lobbied on H.R. 24994 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 24994 organizations