Senator Schmitt’s Bipartisan Bill to Construct Memorial Honoring EMS Professionals Passes U.S. Senate, Heads to President’s Desk

U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) celebrated the passage of his bipartisan bill to extend the National Emergency Services Memorial Foundation’s authority to construct a national memorial in Washington, D.C. paying tribute to the heroism, courage, and enduring sacrifice of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals who have fallen in the line of duty and honoring those who continue to serve. This extension gives the Foundation additional time to complete the memorial, ensuring that EMS professionals are permanently recognized in our nation’s capital with the respect they deserve. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about honor. EMS professionals in Missouri, and across the United States work tirelessly, often putting themselves in harm’s way for the communities they serve. Thanks to this bipartisan legislation, the United States is keeping our promise that their fallen brothers and sisters, their courage, and their sacrifices are permanently dignified with a monument deserving of the heroism they’ve shown,” said Senator Schmitt. “I’m proud to have led this effort to ensure that future generations of Americans will never forget the brave men and women who ran towards danger, not away from it.” The original bill, titled the National Emergency Medical Services Commemorative Work Act , was signed into law by President Trump in 2018 and authorized the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in D.C. within seven years of enactment. Instead of using taxpayer dollars, the memorial is fully funded by Foundation, with any surplus funds returned to the federal government once the project is complete. Senator Schmitt led this bipartisan legislation alongside Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) to extend the authorization’s deadline, which expired in 2025, through 2032. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) co-sponsored this legislation. A companion bill in the House of Representatives was led by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.). The bill was endorsed by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), the American Ambulance Association (AAA), and the International Association of EMS Chiefs (IAEMSC). Read the full bill HERE. Statements of Support: “Our country’s paramedics, EMTs and emergency medical service professionals provide patients with life-saving medical care and deserve to be recognized with a memorial in our Nation’s Capital. We profoundly appreciate the successful efforts of Senators Schmitt and Coons in steering the passage of legislation to reauthorize the National EMS Memorial. With this victory, we now look forward to the next steps in making the memorial a reality,” said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, President of American Ambulance Association. “This is great news. We are thankful for Senator Schmitt’s and Senator Coons’ strong leadership and support in our effort to reauthorize the National EMS Memorial Foundation. This reauthorization allows us to continue the important work to establish a permanent memorial in the nation’s capital to honor the commitment, service and sacrifice of all of us in EMS. It is an honor to serve our fellow Americans, and we are proud to have maintained their trust as we work through the next steps in the processes outlined in the Commemorative Works Act,” said Bob Morley, President of the National Emergency Medical Service Memorial Foundation. “NAEMT applauds Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) for securing passage of a foundational bipartisan bill (S. 2546/H.R. 2196) extending the deadline for the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a national memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring America’s EMS professionals. This critical extension ensures the nation’s EMS workforce — whose courage, sacrifice, and service have protected communities for generations — receives the long-overdue recognition it deserves in the nation’s Capital. Every year, more than 850,000 EMS professionals respond to over 30 million emergency calls and care for approximately 22 million patients nationwide, often at the most critical moments in people’s lives. As a cornerstone of the nation’s emergency response system, EMS personnel stand on the front lines of public safety and national preparedness, responding without hesitation to local emergencies, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other large-scale crises. Serving in both the public and private sectors as career and volunteer providers, these men and women are an indispensable part of America’s healthcare system, homeland security infrastructure, and national security readiness. Their unwavering commitment to saving lives deserves permanent recognition and honor,” said Chief Chris Way, President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). “Our country’s paramedics, EMTs and emergency medical service professionals provide patients with life-saving medical care and deserve to be recognized with a memorial in our Nation’s Capitol. We profoundly appreciate the successful efforts of Senators Schmitt and Coons in steering the passage of legislation to reauthorize the National EMS Memorial. With this victory, we now look forward to the next steps in making the memorial a reality,” said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, President of the American Ambulance Association. ###