[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 4992

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                             HON. ZACH WAMP

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 2010

  Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the First Responders 
Protection Act to better protect the men and women who risk their lives 
every day on our behalf from the financial hardship related to 
potentially frivolous lawsuits. Too often, first responders can be 
forced to deplete their savings, put their own homes in jeopardy or 
sacrifice their retirement to pay for legal counsel to defend 
themselves.
  The First Responders Protection Act gives employers the authority to 
provide financial assistance for employees facing litigation after 
certain events that occur when performing their jobs. This bill would 
not override the comparable policies that some States already have in 
place, and it would offer assistance to any States to implement one.
  Upon review by attorneys and law enforcement experts, H.R. 413, which 
I previously supported, simply went too far without fully addressing 
this real issue affecting these men and women. My legislation, the 
First Responders Protection Act, is more narrowly crafted to keep first 
responders and their families from being financially drained as a 
result of frivolous lawsuits. I urge its passage in lieu of the 
previous bill.

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