2022: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act Of 2022. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the adoption of "the rule (H Res 1097) that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act (HR 2499)." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 217-202. [House Vote 144, 5/10/22; Congressional Quarterly, 5/10/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2499; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1097]
2022: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The Federal Firefighters Fairness Act Of 2022. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the "motion to order the previous question (thus limiting debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1097) that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act (HR 2499)." The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 218-203. [House Vote 143, 5/10/22; Congressional Quarterly, 5/10/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2499; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1097]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against Establishing A Presumption Of Employment As A Proximate Cause For Federal Firefighters Diagnosed With Certain Chronic Diseases, Cancers And Strokes In Relation To Their Eligibility For Federal Workers' Compensation. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022, which would "establish a presumption of employment as a proximate cause for certain diseases contracted by federal fire protection employees, with respect to their eligibility for federal workers' compensation benefits. Specifically, it would establish the presumption with respect to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; a sudden cardiac event or stroke within 24 hours of being engaged in fire protection or emergency response duties; and 14 specified types of cancer, including brain cancer, lung cancer, leukemia and mesothelioma." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 288-131, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 149, 5/11/22; Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2499]
The Bill Would Require The Labor Department To Periodically Evaluate The List Of Diseases And Add Diseases To The List By Rule Upon Petition Or Determination That Were Was A Significant Risk For Firefighters To Develop Such Illness. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would require the Labor Department, in consultation with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, to periodically review the list of diseases and add a disease to the list by rule upon a petition or determination by the department that there is 'significant risk' to firefighters of developing the disease based on the best available scientific evidence." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22]
The Bill Would Create A Petition Process For The Addition Of A Disease And Require The Labor Department To Evaluate And Either Approve Or Deny Such Petitions Within 18 Months. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would establish a process for individuals to petition for the addition of a disease and require the department to substantively evaluate and either grant or deny such petitions within 18 months of receipt." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22]
The Bill Would Require The Labor Department To Examine Whether To Add Breast Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer Or Rhabdomyolysis To The List. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would require the department, within three years, to evaluate and determine whether to add breast cancer, gynecologic cancer or rhabdomyolysis to the list." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22]
The Bill Would Establish A Process For Firefighters Who Were Filing A Claim To Voluntarily Enroll In The National Firefighter Registry Or A Similar Public Health Initiative Conducted By The CDC. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would also require the Labor Department to establish a process by which firefighters filing a claim related to a disease on the bill's list may voluntarily enroll in the National Firefighter Registry or a similar research or public health initiative conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22]
The Bill Would Expand Health Care Access For Federal Firefighters, Including Paramedics, Ambulance Drivers And Hazardous Materials Workers Who Developed Chronic Illnesses Like Strokes And Cancer. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House passed a bill Wednesday to expand health care access for federal firefighters, sending the legislation to the Senate at the start of what is expected to be an unusually active wildfire season. Members voted 288-131 to advance a bill (HR 2499) to expand health care access for federal firefighters and other federally employed first responders like paramedics, ambulance drivers and hazardous materials workers who develop serious ailments such as strokes or cancer." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22]
The Bill Would Establish A Legal Presumption For Federal Firefighters Linking Their Duties To Their Chronic Illnesses And Such Presumption Would Facilitate Their Ability To Obtain Workers' Compensation And Health Care Access. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House-passed legislation would establish a legal presumption for federal firefighters linking their employment to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a sudden cardiac event or stroke within a day for fire protection activities, and 14 types of cancer. That presumption would make it easier to get workers' compensation and medical treatment." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Would Replace The Bill With Language That Would Establish A Firefighter Special Claims Unit And Require A Governmental Accountability Office Report On Health Care Benefits And Treatments Provided To Federal Firefighters Worth Certain Cancers And Medical Conditions. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the Republican substitute amendment to the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022, which would "replace the bill's provisions with language to establish within the Labor Department Office of Workers' Compensation Programs a firefighter special claims unit. It would require the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the health care benefits and treatment provided to federal firefighters with certain cancers and other medical conditions, including a description of barriers to the delivery of health care; an evaluation of approved and denied claims; and a description of the standard used to determine causation of condition with respect to claims." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 180-242. [House Vote 148, 5/11/22; Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/22; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 196; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2499]