Blog

Putting First Responders First

Washington, D.C., May 7, 2019

I introduced a new piece of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s designed to help first responders injured in the line of duty.

Each year, hundreds of our police, fire, and EMS personnel are seriously injured while protecting us. Their jobs carry enormous risk, and their safety is never guaranteed. Our first responders and their families live with the reality that the unthinkable could happen any day.

As the law currently stands, if a first responder suffers a long-term or career-ending injury in the line of duty and is unable to work, his/her disability payments are NOT subject to federal income tax. (This is completely appropriate.) However, this tax relief applies only until reaching his or her original retirement age. After that date, disability payments then become subject to income tax.

My bill, H.R. 2560, would make this tax relief permanent. In other words, first responders who suffer a career-ending injury in the line of duty would not be taxed on that disability income for the rest of their lives. This legislation will help those heroes and their families stay on solid financial footing in the wake of tragedy, and has been endorsed by several law enforcement organizations, including the National Association of Police Organizations and Women in Federal Law Enforcement.

It’s the least we can do for those who have truly gone above and beyond for their communities.