S. 1511Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021

1 recorded action232 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Chuck Grassley [R-IA]
Cosponsors: 18 · 13 Democrats · 5 Republicans
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Committee: Judiciary Committee
Latest action: Nov 18, 2021 · Became Public Law No: 117-61.

IntroducedApr 29, 2021
Passed the SenateJun 10, 2021
Passed the HouseOct 27, 2021
Sent to the PresidentNov 16, 2021
Became lawNov 18, 2021

What the measure doesCRS summary

This bill makes changes to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty or permanently disabled as a result of catastrophic injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Among the changes, the bill

expands the public safety officers eligible for coverage under the PSOB program to include firefighters whose primary duty during an emergency response is to secure the scene or manage traffic and cadets or trainees in candidate-officer training;
extends coverage under the PSOB program to certain public safety officers responding outside their jurisdiction;
increases the interim benefit amount payable on a claim for death benefits and requires the interim amount to be adjusted annually for inflation;
increases the benefit amount payable on a death or disability claim that has been pending for more than 365 days on the date of the final determination;
allows the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use investigative tools, including subpoenas, to expedite the processing of claims and obtain information or documentation from third parties (e.g., public agencies);
specifies that an injury resulting from a neurocognitive disorder qualifies as a catastrophic injury for the purposes of disability benefits;
requires (currently, authorizes) DOJ to provide retroactive education benefits to qualifying children and spouses;
specifies that hearing officers appointed to review claims are special government employees (i.e., employees who perform temporary duties for a limited period of time) and are authorized to conduct examinations;
allows responders to the World Trade Center or their surviving family members to file claims for death or disability benefits in certain circumstances; and
extends the period during which public safety officers who die or become injured as a result of COVID-19 are eligible for benefits.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing S. 1511 as public Law on Nov 18, 2021. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 338

House Oct 27, 2021

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Protecting America’s First Responders Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

420 Yea 3 Nay 8 not voting

Crossed both parties 3 of 423 voting members broke with their own party: 3 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

One dot per member. Select a seat or a bar to filter the list.

DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

By party select a segment to filter

All members431 members

Democratic219 members

Republican212 members

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

Cosponsors18 · 13 Democrats · 5 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor S. 1511 and vote against it. 10 signed when it was filed.

Loading the public record

S. 1511Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 338

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

How the chamber split

Cosponsors18 · 13 Democrats · 5 Republicans

S. 1511Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 338

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

How the chamber split

Cosponsors18 · 13 Democrats · 5 Republicans

Who lobbied on S. 15112 organizations

Who lobbied on S. 15112 organizations