Senators Coons, Schmitt celebrate Senate passage of bill extending authorization for National EMS Memorial

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to extend the deadline for the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring the nation's EMS professionals. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year, now heads to the president's desk for his signature.

The legislation would extend the foundation's authorization through 2032, giving it additional time to complete a memorial honoring the commitment, service, and sacrifice of EMS professionals who provide life-saving care to communities across the country. The memorial will be fully funded by the foundation not taxpayers, and any surplus funds will be returned to the federal government after the project is completed.

"Every day, emergency medical technicians are the first line of support when lives in their communities are at risk, sometimes throwing themselves into dangerous and deadly situations to begin treatment," said Senator Coons."These first responders deserve to be commemorated in our nation's capital, and I'll continue to work to support these efforts so that the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial is completed. This bipartisan law will ensure that EMS organizations have the time they need to build a memorial worthy of them and their service."

"This isn't about politics - it's about honor. EMS professionals in Missouri, and across the United States work tirelessly, often putting themselves in harm's way for the communities they serve. Thanks to this bipartisan legislation, the United States is keeping our promise that their fallen brothers and sisters, their courage, and their sacrifices are permanently dignified with a monument deserving of the heroism they've shown," said Senator Schmitt. "I'm proud to have led this effort to ensure that future generations of Americans will never forget the brave men and women who ran towards danger, not away from it."

The original bill - the National Emergency Medical Services Commemorative Work Act- was introduced in 2017 by Senator Coons and signed into law by President Trump in 2018. That bill authorized the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in Washington, D.C. within seven years of enactment. The foundation's authorization expired in 2025 before the project could be completed due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. This legislation would extend that authorization through 2033.

The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). A companion bill in the House of Representatives was led by Reps. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.).

"Our country's paramedics, EMTs and emergency medical service professionals provide patients with life-saving medical care and deserve to be recognized with a memorial in our Nation's capital. We profoundly appreciate the successful efforts of Senators Schmitt and Coons in steering the passage of legislation to reauthorize the National EMS Memorial. With this victory, we now look forward to the next steps in making the memorial a reality," said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, president of the American Ambulance Association.

"This is great news. We are thankful for Senator Schmitt's and Senator Coons' strong leadership and support in our effort to reauthorize the National EMS Memorial Foundation. This reauthorization allows us to continue the important work to establish a permanent memorial in the nation's capital to honor the commitment, service and sacrifice of all of us in EMS. It is an honor to serve our fellow Americans, and we are proud to have maintained their trust as we work through the next steps in the processes outlined in the Commemorative Works Act," said Bob Morley, president of the National Emergency Medical Service Memorial Foundation.

"NAEMT applauds Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) for securing passage of a foundational bipartisan bill (S. 2546/H.R. 2196) extending the deadline for the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a national memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring America's EMS professionals. This critical extension ensures the nation's EMS workforce - whose courage, sacrifice, and service have protected communities for generations - receives the long-overdue recognition it deserves in the nation's Capital. Every year, more than 850,000 EMS professionals respond to over 30 million emergency calls and care for approximately 22 million patients nationwide, often at the most critical moments in people's lives. As a cornerstone of the nation's emergency response system, EMS personnel stand on the front lines of public safety and national preparedness, responding without hesitation to local emergencies, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other large-scale crises. Serving in both the public and private sectors as career and volunteer providers, these men and women are an indispensable part of America's healthcare system, homeland security infrastructure, and national security readiness. Their unwavering commitment to saving lives deserves permanent recognition and honor," said Chief Chris Way,president of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).

You can read the full text of the bill here.