WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., today announced their support for legislation that would provide an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty.

The Mississippi Senators are original cosponsors of the Fallen Heroes Flag Act (S.2755). This legislation would create a program to present a Capitol-flown flag to immediate family members of firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of rescue squads or ambulance crews and public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty.

“Every day, our nation’s first responders answer the call to serve their neighbors and fellow citizens,” Wicker said. “Their heroic acts help to keep us and our loved ones safe from harm. We are proud to honor them and their families with a flag that has been flown over the people’s Capitol building.”

“These flags flown over the U.S. Capitol would signify our nation’s gratitude to the local and state first responders whose lives are lost in the in line of duty,” Cochran said.

The flags, provided at no cost to the families, would include a certificate signed by the Senator or House Member requesting the flag and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or Speaker of the House. The Architect of the Capitol would administer the program.

Authored by Senator Roy Blunt, R-Mo., S.2755 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, on which both Cochran and Wicker serve. The Senate bill has the bipartisan support of 24 cosponsors. Similar legislation has been introduced and passed in the House of Representatives.