WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate has passed bipartisan legislation from Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., extending the authorization for a national memorial honoring emergency medical services professionals in Washington.
The legislation previously passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the president for consideration.
The measure gives the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation additional time to establish a memorial recognizing the commitment, service and sacrifice of EMS professionals who provide lifesaving care across the country.
The memorial would be funded by the foundation rather than taxpayers. Any surplus money would be returned to the federal government after the project is completed.
“Every day, emergency medical technicians are the first line of support when lives in their communities are at risk, sometimes throwing themselves into dangerous and deadly situations to begin treatment,” Coons said. “These first responders deserve to be commemorated in our nation’s capital, and I’ll continue to work to support these efforts so that the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial is completed. This bipartisan law will ensure that EMS organizations have the time they need to build a memorial worthy of them and their service.”
“This isn’t about politics – it’s about honor. EMS professionals in Missouri, and across the United States work tirelessly, often putting themselves in harm’s way for the communities they serve. Thanks to this bipartisan legislation, the United States is keeping our promise that their fallen brothers and sisters, their courage, and their sacrifices are permanently dignified with a monument deserving of the heroism they’ve shown,” Schmitt said. “I’m proud to have led this effort to ensure that future generations of Americans will never forget the brave men and women who ran towards danger, not away from it.”
Coons originally introduced the National Emergency Medical Services Commemorative Work Act in 2017. President Donald Trump signed it into law in 2018, authorizing the foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in Washington within seven years.
That authorization expired in 2025 before the National EMS Memorial could be completed. Coons' office attributed the delays to the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges.
The new legislation would renew and extend the foundation's authorization, allowing work on the memorial to continue.
“Our country’s paramedics, EMTs and emergency medical service professionals provide patients with life-saving medical care and deserve to be recognized with a memorial in our Nation’s capital. We profoundly appreciate the successful efforts of Senators Schmitt and Coons in steering the passage of legislation to reauthorize the National EMS Memorial. With this victory, we now look forward to the next steps in making the memorial a reality,” said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, president of the American Ambulance Association.
Bob Morley, president of the National Emergency Medical Service Memorial Foundation, said the extension allows the organization to continue its work toward a permanent memorial.
“This is great news. We are thankful for Senator Schmitt’s and Senator Coons’ strong leadership and support in our effort to reauthorize the National EMS Memorial Foundation. This reauthorization allows us to continue the important work to establish a permanent memorial in the nation’s capital to honor the commitment, service and sacrifice of all of us in EMS. It is an honor to serve our fellow Americans, and we are proud to have maintained their trust as we work through the next steps in the processes outlined in the Commemorative Works Act,” Morley said.
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians also praised the legislation. The organization said more than 850,000 EMS professionals respond to over 30 million emergency calls and care for about 22 million patients nationwide each year.
