Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026

AFSCME Public Service members secured a major legislative victory in the U.S. Senate this week with the passage of the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026. 

The bipartisan legislation, which will help public safety officers and their families receive their federal disability and death benefits quicker, was introduced by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) and passed the Senate unanimously. It will now be taken up by the House of Representatives where Reps. Randy Weber (R-TX-14) and Dave Min (D-CA-47) and have introduced similar bipartisan legislation.

If enacted, this legislation will reduce delays in benefits for public safety officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty or their spouses if they died in the line of duty. Specifically, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act would:

• Require the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to complete a death or disability eligibility determination within 270 days of receiving a complete claim, updated administrative procedures and use its subpoena power to ensure public agencies are providing the information needed.
• Speed up the processing for workers already certified for benefits through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). 

The legislation is endorsed by dozens of unions and public safety organizations including AFSCME and FDNY EMS Local 2507 Uniformed EMTs Paramedics & Fire Inspectors Union (AFSCME District Council 37). 

“These changes and realistic updates will ensure that injured and disabled Public Safety Officers, including those who suffer from WTC related illness will have a less challenging time receiving their needed and deserved benefits,” said Gary Smiley, a retired paramedic and World Trade Center Liaison for Local 2507.

“This is a major win for our public safety officers, who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Today, we are one step closer to fixing a slow and broken process that keeps first responders and their families in limbo for years on end, including those who risked and lost their lives on 9/11. It is time to bring them the relief they deserve. I am proud that the Senate has passed this bill, and I now urge the House to do the same.” 

“The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program was created to ensure that our first responders receive the benefits they deserve and need. We owe it to our first responders and their families to ensure they receive timely and fair support, and I am grateful to have worked with Senator Gillibrand to advance this bill through the Senate. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this legislation without delay,” said Senator Cruz.