Rep. Connolly Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Boost Federal Firefighter Pay and Retirement
Federal firefighters — a subset of the federal workforce numbering roughly 16,000–18,000 people — would see a significant pay increase through the recalculation of their hourly rate (dividing salary by 2,087 hours instead of 2,756). This brings their pay structure in line with other federal employees and narrows the gap with local fire departments, making federal firefighting careers more financially competitive. The bill also caps their regular workweek at 60 hours, addressing quality-of-life concerns.
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 759, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Sens. Ruben Gallego and Bernie Moreno introduced the Federal Firefighters Families First Act to cut workweeks from 72 to 60 hours. The bill ensures pay remains steady while requiring retirement calculations to include scheduled overtime at premium rates, addressing high attrition and low pay.
H.R. 759 aims to create pay equality between federal firefighters and municipal counterparts. It proposes changing the pay calculation framework from 2,756 annual hours to 2,087 and mandates that the Office of Personnel Management cap the regular workweek at 60 hours.
The bipartisan bill supports federal firefighters' physical and mental health by limiting pre-scheduled work hours to 60 per week. It also addresses long-standing pension issues by ensuring that all regularly scheduled hours are factored into retirement benefit formulas.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Federal Firefighters Families First Act
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