House Appropriations Committee Passes FY 2025 DHS Appropriations bill
On June 26, the House Appropriations Committee voted to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 4213).
The provisions of the bill affecting fire service programs were not amended during the mark-up:
The bill includes the following funding levels for federal fire service programs:
($) Millions
| Program |
FY 2023 |
FY 2024 |
FY 2025 |
FY 2026
(President’s Request) |
FY 2026
(House) |
| AFG |
360 |
324 |
324 |
324 |
360 |
| SAFER |
360 |
324 |
324 |
324 |
360 |
| USFA |
60 |
71.2 |
71.2 |
64.166 |
62.084 |
| UASI |
615 |
553.5 |
553.5 |
415.5 |
615 |
| SHSGP |
520 |
468 |
468 |
351 |
520 |
| US&R |
37.832 |
40.832 |
40.832 |
37.832 |
56 |
The next step for the bill is consideration by the full House of Representatives.
IAFC Joins Fire Service Families to Advocate to Expand Eligibility for PSOB Benefits
This week, the IAFC joined the IAFF, NFFF, and other fire groups to assist the families of fallen firefighters on Capitol Hill to advocate for the Honoring our Fallen Heros Act (H.R. 1269/S. 237). The group met with legislators and their staff to share their experiences in losing a loved one to occupational cancer and the lack of federal benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program (PSOB). H.R. 1269/S. 237 would include occupational cancer as a cause of death eligible for PSOB benefits. Currently, only 9/11 related cancers are eligible for PSOB benefits. The IAFC continues to support this important legislation and encourages all Senators and Members of Congress to cosponsor and support this legislation. Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) spoke on the floor of the House on Wednesday to support the legislation; her remarks can be found here.
Chief Dan Munsey Testifies About Wildland Fire Technology
On June 26, Chief Dan Munsey, the fire chief of the County of San Bernardino Fire Protection District, testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Federal Lands about “Advancing Innovative Technologies to Improve Forest Management and Prevent Wildfires.” He discussed the need to improve the adoption of technology like Common Operating Picture (COP) platforms to help address the nation’s wildland fire challenges.