Wildland Firefighters Congressional Gold Medal Act

# Wildland Firefighters Congressional Gold Medal Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal—one of the nation's highest civilian honors—to wildland firefighters as a group. The medal recognizes their bravery, toughness, and dedication in battling forest and grassland fires across the United States. A Congressional Gold Medal is a symbolic honor awarded by Congress to individuals or groups for outstanding achievements or service to the nation. **Who It Affects:** The bill honors wildland firefighters, who are the men and women who fight fires in forests, grasslands, and other natural areas (as opposed to structural firefighters in cities and towns).

These workers often face extremely dangerous conditions and remote locations while protecting both natural resources and nearby communities. **Current Status:** The bill (S 142) was introduced by Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. Congressional Gold Medals are typically non-controversial tributes that honor service, so such bills often have bipartisan support, though this one's ultimate passage cannot be predicted at this stage.