US Congress · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S 3897Passed Origin Chamber

Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026

Source of recordUS Congress · congress.govLast synced Aug 14, 2026

Chamber

Senate

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed House
To President
Became Law

Overview

This bill, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026, aims to improve the process for awarding death and disability benefits to public safety officers and their families. It focuses on streamlining claim processing, reducing delays, and ensuring timely notification to claimants. The bill also addresses eligibility criteria and includes provisions for expedited payments and outreach efforts to ensure all eligible officers and agencies are aware of the program.

Key provisions

Expedited notification to claimants regarding missing information and determination status.
Establishment of interim benefit payments to claimants awaiting final determination.
Clarification of ‘gainful work’ for eligibility purposes.
Enhanced subpoena authority for the Bureau to obtain necessary documentation.
Expansion of benefits for permanent, but not total, disability.
Integration of 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and World Trade Center Health Program certifications into benefit determinations.
Implementation of recommendations from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on program improvements.
Clarification of educational benefits for dependents.

Who is affected

Public safety officers and their families
Federal and local law enforcement agencies
The Bureau of Justice Assistance

Bill text

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Feb 24, 2026XMLView source

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Legislative history

13 recorded actions · showing the most recent 12

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced in Senate

May 14, 2026Senate

Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

May 19, 2026Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 416.

May 19, 2026Senate

Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

May 19, 2026

Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Aug 7, 2026Senate

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4550)

Aug 7, 2026

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Aug 7, 2026Senate

The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.

Aug 7, 2026Senate

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4549-4550)

Aug 10, 2026House

Held at the desk.

Aug 10, 2026House

Received in the House.

Aug 10, 2026Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

8/7/2026SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4550)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
8/7/2026Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

Aug 7, 2026SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S4550)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
Aug 7, 2026Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Geography

Recorded positions across the country.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

Reasons offered for and against this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026

Progress