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Congress·In Progress·H.R. 759

Rep. Connolly Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Boost Federal Firefighter Pay and Retirement

Federal Firefighters Families First Act

4 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • The bill changes how federal firefighter pay is calculated by switching the divisor used to compute hourly rates from 2,756 to 2,087 hours. This effectively raises their base hourly pay to match the standard used for other federal employees, addressing a longstanding pay gap.

    From policy text

    “Sections 5545b(b)(1)(A) and 5545b(c)(1)(B) of title 5, United States Code, are amended by striking ``2756'' and inserting ``2087''.”
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  • Retirement benefits would be boosted by including regularly scheduled overtime hours in the calculation of "average pay" used to determine pension amounts. Firefighters who consistently work long shifts would see those extra hours reflected in their retirement checks.
  • The Office of Personnel Management would be required to cap the regular workweek for federal firefighters at no more than an average of 60 hours per week, setting formal limits on grueling schedules within one year of enactment.

    From policy text

    “the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations establishing the maximum number of regularly reoccurring hours which comprise a workweek for a firefighter covered by this section. The maximum number of such hours shall not exceed an average of 60 hours per week.”
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  • The bill's stated goals include improving recruitment and retention by closing the pay gap between federal firefighters and their counterparts at local and municipal fire departments, keeping experienced personnel in federal service.
  • The new pay and retirement rules would take effect 60 days after enactment and apply to anyone who separates from service after that window, meaning current employees nearing retirement could benefit.

    From policy text

    “The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to any annuity entitlement to which is based on a separation from service occurring after the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.”
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Labor Employment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions
Nov 20, 2025House

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.

Jan 28, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Jan 28, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

60 days after enactment

New pay calculation and retirement rules take effect

Federal firefighters begin earning higher base pay under the new hourly rate formula, and those retiring after this date get boosted pension calculations that include scheduled overtime.

Within 1 year of enactment

OPM issues regulations capping the firefighter workweek

The Office of Personnel Management must finalize rules setting a maximum regular workweek of no more than 60 hours on average for federal firefighters, creating formal schedule protections.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Federal Firefighters Families First Act

Bill NumberHR 759
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionASSUMING 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.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(70)
D: 59R: 11

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.