**You can watch the congresswoman’s full remarks here**

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced that bipartisan legislation she championed, H.R.1269, the Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. 

Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Today, cancer is the leading cause of death for America’s firefighters. The Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program — which provides benefits to first responders injured in the line of duty and to their families — currently does not recognize cancer as a line of duty death. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act fills this glaring gap in federal law and will ensure that New Hampshire firefighters and their families receive the benefits they have earned. 

“New Hampshire’s firefighters are American heroes who give their lives to saving lives, and I am proud beyond measure to fight for them and their loved ones every day in Congress,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “In passing the Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act, we honor their service and sacrifice by taking another step towards delivering long-overdue justice to the families of fallen American heroes who died from cancers they developed in their service to our country. I will not quit until this bill becomes law.” 

Congresswoman Goodlander has been a fierce advocate for the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act from day one in Congress. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, she advocated for this bill to be included in the NDAA. In June, Congresswoman Goodlander honored the service and lives of two New Hampshire heroes, Lieutenant Jessica L. Wyman of Nashua Fire Rescue and Lieutenant Aaron “Coop” Cooper of Keene Fire Department, and urged her colleagues to pass this important legislation. On December 3, 2025, she sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging the passage of this legislation as part of the FY 2026 NDAA. Today, 7 days later, it passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen is an original cosponsor of this legislation, Senator Maggie Hassan is a co-sponsor, and Congressman Chris Pappas is a co-sponsor.

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