Whitfield Supports Bill to Protect Volunteer Firefighters Who Would Be Punished Under Obamacare

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, voted yesterday evening for the passage of H.R. 33, the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a unanimous vote.

H.R. 33 amends the definition of "full-time employee" in the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that qualified volunteers, including voluntary firefighters and emergency responders, are not counted when determining the number of full-time employees for meeting the employer mandate under Obamacare.

"Our brave firefighters and emergency service volunteers have more important things to worry about than whether or not Obamacare is going to affect their ability to serve the community," said Whitfield." "I have voted over 50 times to repeal or defund this unworkable health care law and will continue to do what I can to mitigate its harmful effects. It's clear, however, that President Obama doesn't have a solution to this problem even though he's had no issues in the past ignoring the law or granting waivers to his political allies. So, to correct this problem, I was pleased to support the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act and advocate for its passage in the House of Representatives. I hope the Senate will move swiftly to send this important legislation to the President's desk."

The Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act was introduced by Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA-11) after concerns were raised by volunteer fire departments. Since the Internal Revenue Service currently views volunteer firefighters as employees, fire companies and municipalities would be forced to provide health insurance or pay a fine, potentially saddling them with unbearable financial burdens and threatening public safety.

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