The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, which gives firefighter and other public-safety officers collective bargaining rights. The initiative was included in a supplemental appropriation bill adopted by a vote of 239-182

While most firefighters and law-enforcement officers are already provided bargaining rights under state laws, too many public safety officers do not have the ability to present ideas about how they can better protect the public safety. The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act will ensure that every state allows discussions between first responders and the agencies that employ them, and will promote productive partnerships between labor and management.