Gillibrand, Cruz Hail Senate Passage Of Their Bill To Speed Up Benefit Delivery For Public Safety Officers

Gillibrand, Cruz Hail Senate Passage Of Their Bill To Speed Up Benefit Delivery For Public Safety Officers

Aug 8, 2026

Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) applauded the Senate's unanimous passage of their bipartisan Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act, which would help first responders and their families receive their federal disability and death benefits quicker. Currently, it can take years for applicants to learn whether they qualify for payments.

"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.

The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act would amend the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program to improve processing times and reduce delays in benefit determinations. The PSOB Program provides death benefits to survivors of first responders who have died in the line of duty, as well as disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. Specifically, the senators' bill would:

• Require the BJA to complete a death or disability eligibility determination within 270 days of receiving a complete claim
• Require the BJA to use its subpoena authority if a public agency fails to provide requested documentation in relation to a claimant's case
• Expedite processing for officers already certified for benefits through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)
• Direct BJA to implement GAO recommendations to establish updated program processes and administrative procedures

This legislation is endorsed by over 30 public safety officer organizations and unions, including: the Sergeants Benevolent Association of NYPD, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Fraternal Order of Police, FDNY EMS Local 2507 Uniformed EMTs Paramedics & Fire Inspectors Union, Firefighter's Association of the State of New York, NYLEAP, Nassau County Superior Officers Association, Voices Center for Resilience, Town of Brighton Police Department, NYPD Captains Endowment Association, Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Port Authority of NY & NJ Detectives Endowment Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California, Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance, Inc., United States Deputy Sheriff's Association, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, Friends of Firefighters, Police Chiefs' Association of Orange County, City of Syracuse New York Fire Department, Village of Tuckahoe Police, National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition (NNOAC), City of Utica Fire Department, Riverside Sheriffs' Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, City of Syracuse Police Department, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Austin Police Association, City of Utica Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department, San Diego Police Officers Association, and Town of Hyde Park Police Department.

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