Rep. Cleaver Votes to Strengthen Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Federal Firefighters

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver voted to pass H.R. 2499, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, which would strengthen access to workers' compensation benefits for federal firefighters, including those in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, who become injured or ill on the job. Congressman Cleaver was also a cosponsor of the legislation.

"Each and every day, firefighters in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District selflessly risk their own health and safety by routinely exposing themselves to toxic substances and other workplace hazards as they do their best to protect our communities," said Congressman Cleaver. "While Missouri firefighters and their families can access critical compensation benefits, firefighters employed by the federal government don't have the same opportunities for medical and financial relief, despite facing nearly identical risks. That's wrong—and I was proud to be a cosponsor of the bipartisan Federal Firefighters Fairness Act to close this loophole and ensure federal firefighters can access the benefits they have earned and deserve."

Firefighters are at heightened risk of contracting occupational illnesses because of routine exposure to smoke, heat, physical stress, toxic substances, and other work-related hazards. While most states provide firefighters who seek workers' compensation benefits for work-related illness and injury with the presumption that certain diseases are work-related, roughly 15,000 firefighters employed by the federal government cannot access these same benefits. This leaves federal firefighters and their families without the workers' compensation protections that they deserve and that other firefighters around the country are already guaranteed.

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act would fix this loophole and make it easier for federal firefighters to secure workers' compensation benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act by, among other actions, providing a science-based presumption that certain illnesses should be deemed work-related.

The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

A Fact Sheet of the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act is available here.

Official text of the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.