"Officer John Barnes was critically wounded during the Santa Fe High School shooting and flat-lined twice while protecting students and teachers. Nearly eight years later, he is still waiting for the benefits he earned through his sacrifice."
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation would amend the existing Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to speed up benefit determinations and extend benefits to additional public safety officers.
Sen. Cruz said, “Officer John Barnes was critically wounded during the Santa Fe High School shooting and flat-lined twice while protecting students and teachers. Nearly eight years later, he is still waiting for the benefits he earned through his sacrifice. This delay is unacceptable. My bill ensures our brave law enforcement officers receive timely and fair support when they need it most.”
Sen. Gillibrand said, “Public safety officers risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. When tragedy strikes and an officer loses their life or becomes permanently disabled in the line of duty, we must look out for them and their family. I’m proud to introduce this legislation, and I will keep working across the aisle to make sure first responders and their families receive the support they deserve for their sacrifices.”
Officer John Barnes said, “On May 18, 2018, my fellow officers and I ran toward danger to protect our community in Santa Fe. I was gravely injured in the line of duty, and while the physical wounds have been life-altering, the years-long wait for a determination on the benefits my family and I were promised has been incredibly difficult. No officer who puts their life on the line should have to spend years navigating bureaucratic delays just to receive the support they have earned. I am deeply grateful to Senator Cruz and Senator Gillibrand for fighting to ensure that officers and their families receive timely decisions and the certainty they deserve. This legislation is about accountability, fairness, and honoring the commitment our nation makes to those who serve and I hope to see it become law."
Sen. Gillibrand said, “Public safety officers risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. When tragedy strikes and an officer loses their life or becomes permanently disabled in the line of duty, we must look out for them and their family. I’m proud to introduce this legislation, and I will keep working across the aisle to make sure first responders and their families receive the support they deserve for their sacrifices.”
Officer John Barnes said, “On May 18, 2018, my fellow officers and I ran toward danger to protect our community in Santa Fe. I was gravely injured in the line of duty, and while the physical wounds have been life-altering, the years-long wait for a determination on the benefits my family and I were promised has been incredibly difficult. No officer who puts their life on the line should have to spend years navigating bureaucratic delays just to receive the support they have earned. I am deeply grateful to Senator Cruz and Senator Gillibrand for fighting to ensure that officers and their families receive timely decisions and the certainty they deserve. This legislation is about accountability, fairness, and honoring the commitment our nation makes to those who serve and I hope to see it become law."
Representatives Randy Weber (R-Texas-14) and Dave Min (D-Calif.-47) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Click here to read the bill.
BACKGROUND:
The bill is partly named in honor of Officer John Barnes, who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the Santa Fe, Texas, shooting tragedy, suffering a disabling shotgun blast in the process. Despite applying for PSOB benefits, Officer Barnes and his family have experienced an excruciating nearly eight years of waiting for a determination from the DOJ since the 2018 shooting.
Congress established the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who have died in the line of duty. Since then, PSOB has been amended to provide disability and education benefits and to expand benefit eligibility.
Despite these amendments, beneficiaries often experience delayed adjudication of death and disability claims. Additionally, not all public safety officers who become permanently disabled as a result of a line-of-duty injury are able to receive benefits under the program’s current eligibility rules. This legislation expands eligibility and speeds up benefit determinations.
Specifically, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 would:
- Extend partial PSOB eligibility to officers who are permanently, but not totally, disabled and are unable to perform any gainful work as a public safety officer as a direct result of the injury
- Require the BJA to complete a death or disability determination within 270 days of receiving a complete claim
- Expedite processing for officers already certified for benefits through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)
- Direct BJA to implement GAO recommendations to establish updated program processes and administrative procedures
