Provided by Congresswoman Barbara Comstock’s Office
Congresswoman Barbara Comstock
Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House passed by voice vote, H.R. 931, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, legislation which she cosponsored:
“I am pleased to support the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act which passed by a wide bipartisan margin tonight. The legislation will create a first of its kind national cancer registry for firefighters at the Centers for Disease Control. The registry will let researchers better study the relationship between hazardous toxins often found in smoke to the spread of cancer. By studying these cancers and their effects on firefighters it is hoped we can also devise better protective equipment and technologies for our brave first responders.
Upon passage of the Firefighters Cancer Registry Act of 2017 in U.S. House of Representatives, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Harold A. Schaitberger stated, “Let there be no doubt: cancer is the greatest health and safety threat facing fire fighters today. By voting to pass the Firefighters Cancer Registry Act, Representative Barbara Comstock has demonstrated her strong commitment to eradicating this deadly disease from the ranks of America’s bravest first responders.”
