# 119-hconres-27: Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first responders and emergency response providers.

119-hconres-27, Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first responders and emergency response providers., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (R-NJ); status introduced (as of 2026-07-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hconres-27
- As of: 2026-07-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hconres-27
- Congress: 119
- Title: Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first responders and emergency response providers.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-04-10
- Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (R-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 13
- Policy area: Labor and Employment
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-19

## Summary

**Recognize open water lifeguards as first responders.** This concurrent resolution would reaffirm that open water lifeguards qualify as first responders and emergency response providers because they respond to, treat, and transport victims while protecting life, property, evidence, and the environment. It highlights that lifeguards work at significant personal risk, notes two New Jersey lifeguards died in 2021, and says many lifeguards are cross trained in emergency medical response, fire safety, law enforcement, and water rescue craft operations. The resolution also argues lifeguards should have priority access to vaccines during public health emergencies and points to international practices that give lifeguards access to first responder programs.

## Cosponsors (13)

- Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2] (R-NJ), 2025-04-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] (D-NY), 2025-04-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1] (R-NY), 2025-04-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4] (D-NY), 2025-05-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2] (R-NY), 2025-05-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32] (D-CA), 2025-07-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7] (R-NC), 2025-08-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (D-NJ), 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2] (R-VA), 2025-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D-NJ), 2025-10-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] (D-CA), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16] (R-FL), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2026-06-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-hr-4382: America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act
- 119-hres-1188: Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first responders and emergency response providers.
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1422: Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hconres-27 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/27)

## Related
- [119-hr-4382: America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4382)
- [119-hres-1188: Expressing support for the work of open water lifeguards as first responders an…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hres-1188)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1065)
- [119-hr-1422: Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1422)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hconres-27 (as of 2026-07-19).