Advocacy Update, December 2020 from the ABA

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Congress Passes Portable Fuel Container Safety Act

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The Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019 (H.R. 806/S.1640) establishes standards for installing flame arrestors on portable fuel containers to prevent serious burn injuries. The ABA has advocated for passage of this bill at the National Leadership Conferences for the past four years. Originally introduced in 2016 by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), the bill is a direct result of years of advocacy efforts from the ABA and other members of the burn community.

This bill was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations omnibus bill passed on December 21, 2020.

In addition, the appropriations omnibus approved by Congress included $10 million in continued funding for the Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) for Fiscal Year 2021, marking the second consecutive year of $10 million in funding for peer-reviewed burn research. This funding would not have been possible without sustained advocacy by ABA members, ensuring continued support for the treatment of serious burn injuries among service members.