JIM PASCOPATRICK YOES THE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSExecutive DirectorNational President- Subscribe to the FOP’s Weekly Update -
PATRICK YOES THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS JIM PASCO National President Subscribe to the FOP s Weekly Update Executive Director
6 February 2023 Dear Day on the Hill Participant Welcome to our annual Day on the Hill For the first time in two years the Capitol is open to the public This week our members will once again be able to meet with their Senators and Representatives look them in the eye and speak to them in person about our top legislative priorities The Democrats control the U S Senate but control of the U S House of Representatives shifted to the Republicans The new majority however is narrow and fractured for the first time in more than 150 years it took 15 ballots to elect a Speaker of the House Getting legislation through the House will be a real challenge in the 118th Congress but we moved a lot of legislation in the previous Congress and I am confident we can do so again over the next two years With your help I believe we can make real progress on the FOP s legislative agenda in the House and Senate Our success however comes down to YOU We will need your help at the grassroots level to ensure our message gets through Your participation this week is only a small part of our advocacy program If we are to succeed we need all our members to build strengthen and sustain their relationships with their Senators and Representatives Members of Congress need to know that FOP members are active voters in their States and districts and will be watching them carefully Make it clear that you and your members will hold them accountable And while Congress may have changed our priorities have not We made history by getting 305 Members of the House to cosponsor the Social Security Fairness Act and came very close to getting a vote on the floor of the House We will build on this success and get even further in this Congress We also reached a milestone with the Law Enforcement Equity Act by reaching more than 100 cosponsors on this priority In this Congress we expect to our collective bargaining bill the Public Safety Officers Employer Employee Cooperation Act to be introduced in both chambers We will once again be working with our partners at the International Association of Fire Fighters IAFF to get our collective bargaining rights recognized in every State We will also be working to pass the Protect and Serve Act the LEOSA Reform Act and the HELPER Act in this Congress While we are grateful for your participation this week please remember that genuine grassroots activism is not a one or two day event The key to being effective in the THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
future is to grow the relationships with the individuals you meet this week Follow up Make contact again with the Members and staffers you interact with during this event even if it is just to thank them for their time Each contact you have with them will reinforce the progress you made and make our efforts here more productive in generating strong and active support for our issues I also want to ask you and your lodge brothers and sisters to support the National Fraternal Order of Police Political Action Committee NFOP PAC which like our grassroots activism is an essential part of our National Legislative Program The NFOP PAC allows us to support candidates who support our members and our profession We need to increase member participation in our payroll deduction and monthly recurring credit card programs Please take this request back to your local and State Lodges and help us grow our PAC and amplify our voice in the nation s capital On behalf of your more than 364 000 brothers and sisters in the Fraternal Order of Police I want to thank you for taking the time to be part of Day on the Hill 2023 Sincerely Patrick Yoes National President THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
ABOUT THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE The National Fraternal Order of Police is the world s oldest and largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers with more than 364 000 members in more than 2 200 lodges We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES the Social Security Fairness Act would repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset in current Social Security law the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act would expand the definition of law enforcement officer for salary and retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers the Public Safety Employer Employee Cooperation Act would recognize the right of law enforcement and other public safety officers to bargain collectively with their employers OTHER LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES the Protect and Serve Act would make it a Federal crime to target a law enforcement officer with an assault that results in serious bodily harm or death the LEOSA Reform Act would amend the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act LEOSA to close certain loopholes and ensure that active and retired law enforcement officers are in compliance with all Federal State and local laws the Homes for Every Local Protector Educator and Responder HELPER Act would create a new home loan assistance program for law enforcement officers firefighters and teachers NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE 328 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 202 547 8189 WWW FOP NET GLFOP FOPNATIONAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE U S There are more than 800 000 sworn law enforcement officers in the United States More than 90 of all law enforcement agencies are at the State and local levels 331 officers were shot in 2022 62 of whom were killed 126 officers were shot in 89 ambush style attacks 346 officers were shot in 2021 63 of whom were killed 312 officers were shot in 2020 47 of whom were killed Data Collected by the National FOP There are nearly 2 million law enforcement interactions with the public each year in the United States Since March 2020 the FOP has tracked more than 1 000 law enforcement officers who died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure to COVID 19 Data Collected by the National FOP CONTACT INFORMATION Office Phone Jim Pasco Executive Director 202 547 8189 jpasco fop net Tim Richardson Senior Legislative Liaison trichardson fop net Mark McDonald Legislative Liaison mmcdonald fop net David Taboh Legislative Liaison dtaboh fop net Asa Render Legislative Liaison arender fop net NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE 328 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 202 547 8189 WWW FOP NET GLFOP FOPNATIONAL
H R 82 the Social Security Fairness Act Repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset The FOP strongly supports the passage of H R 82 the Social Security Fairness Act legislation which would fully repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision WEP and the Government Pension Offset GPO in current Social Security law The WEP was enacted in 1983 as part of a large reform package designed to shore up the financing of the Social Security system It went into effect in 1985 and applies a modified formula designed to reduce the amount of the Social Security benefits received by individuals who collect a government pension The ostensible purpose of the WEP is to remove a windfall for persons who spent some time in jobs not covered by Social Security like public employees and also worked other jobs where they paid Social Security taxes long enough to qualify for retirement benefits The practical effect of the provision on low paid public employees outside the Social Security system is that they lose up to sixty percent 60 of the Social Security benefits to which they are entitled this is a loss not an adjustment for a windfall This creates a very real inequity for many public employees particularly police officers who retire earlier than other government employees and begin second careers which require them to pay into the Social Security system We regard this as an issue of fairness as these public employees are unfairly penalized under current law The WEP substantially reduces a benefit that workers had counted on when planning their retirement The arbitrary formula when applied does not eliminate windfalls because of its regressive nature the reduction is only applied to the first bracket of the benefit formula and causes a relatively larger reduction in benefits to low paid workers It also overpenalizes lower paid workers with short careers or like many retired law enforcement officers those whose careers are evenly split inside and outside the Social Security system The GPO was amended in 1983 to shore up the finances of the Social Security Trust Fund It offsets the dependent s Social Security benefit to which a spouse or widow er is entitled by two thirds of the monthly amount of any government pension from noncovered employment that the surviving spouse might receive For example the wife of a retired law enforcement officer who collects a government pension of 1 200 would be ineligible to collect the surviving spousal benefit of 600 from Social Security upon the death of her spouse Two thirds of 1 200 is 800 which is greater than the spousal benefit of 600 and thus under this law she would be unable to collect it If the spouse s benefit was 900 only 100 could be collected because 800 would be offset by her government pension Again the FOP believes this is a matter of fairness and that the offset scheme currently in place penalizes those employees least able to afford it THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
The Public Safety Employer Employee Cooperation Act The legislation would require that States substantially provide for the following rights and responsibilities the right to form and join a labor organization that serves as or seeks to serve as the exclusive bargaining representative for non management and non supervisory public safety employees a requirement that the public safety employer recognizes the employees labor organization and agree to bargaining the right to bargain over hours wages and the terms and conditions of employment the availability of a binding interest arbitration or other impasse resolution mechanism such as fact finding mediation or comparable procedure and a requirement of enforcement of all rights responsibilities and protections provided by the bill including any written contract or memorandum of understanding through a State administrative agency or court of competent jurisdiction In determining whether or not a State substantially provides for these rights and responsibilities the Federal Labor Relations Authority FLRA is required to consider the opinions of the affected employers employees and labor organizations If an employer and an affected labor organization jointly agree that the current State law substantially provides for these rights and responsibilities the FLRA will give this agreement weight to the maximum extent practicable in making its determination If the FLRA determines that a State does not substantially provide for the rights and responsibilities enumerated above then a State has two years from the date of the law s enactment or date of the end of the first regular session of the legislature of that State that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act to change State law or regulations to comply with the provisions of the bill If the State fails to act the FLRA will issue regulations which will provide for the aforementioned rights and responsibilities These regulations will enable the FLRA to determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation supervise and conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a voting majority of the employees in an appropriate unit resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices resolve exceptions to the awards of arbitrators protect the right of each employee to form join or assist any labor organization or to refrain from any such activity freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal and protect each employee in the exercise of such right direct compliance by such State by order if the FLRA finds that the State is not in compliance with the regulations it issued and take other actions as necessary to appropriately and fairly administer the Public Safety EmployerEmployee Cooperation Act including the authority to issue subpoenas taking depositions administering oaths ordering written interrogatories and receiving and examining witnesses THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
The bill specifically prohibits strikes and lockouts The bill would not preempt any law of any State or political subdivision of any State or jurisdiction that substantially provides greater or comparable rights and responsibilities as described above or prevent a State from enforcing a State law which prohibits employers and labor organizations from negotiating provisions in a labor agreement that requires union membership or payment of union fees as a condition of employment i e right to work The bill would also not preempt any State law in effect on the date of enactment In addition a State may exempt from its State law or from the requirements established by this bill a political subdivision of the State that has a population of less than 5 000 or that employs fewer than 25 full time employees THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act Legislation Providing Law Enforcement Retirement Benefits to All Federal Law Enforcement Officers The FOP strongly supports the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act This legislation would expand the definition of law enforcement officers LEO for retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement Nearly 30 000 Federal law enforcement officers do not receive the same retirement benefits as their other Federal law enforcement colleagues This legislation would provide all law enforcement with 6 c retirement benefits and the ability to retire after twenty 20 years of service at the age of fifty 50 or after twenty five 25 years of service at any age This same benefit is currently received by most Federal law enforcement officers This bill will also provide for savings in training costs improve recruitment and retention of qualified officers and enhance public safety Officers classified as 0083s in agencies like the Department of Defense and Armed Services Veterans Affairs FBI Police U S Postal Police Federal Protective Service National Institute of Health U S Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are among those Federal officers who do not receive these specific benefits Yet these GS 0083 officers attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center FLETC and are just as highly trained as those Federal law enforcement officers who do receive the 6 c retirement benefit Their job is no less dangerous and these officers who do not receive 6 c benefits are asked to face the same hazards as their State and local counterparts They have been seriously injured and killed in the line of duty and their sacrifices are no less or different than any other Federal officer Through regulatory authority the Office of Personnel Management OPM has promulgated that the definition of law enforcement officer does NOT include an employee whose primary duties involve maintaining law and order protecting life and property guarding against or inspecting violations of the law or investigating persons who are suspect or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States These officers may achieve LEO status by appealing to the Merit Systems Protection Board MSPB or the OPM but since 2000 the OPM and the MSPB with the backing of the U S Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit have made it extremely difficult for these officers to gain LEO status through judicial review It is for this reason the FOP seeks this legislative change In addition to granting these law enforcement officers the retirement benefits they deserve the legislation will also save taxpayers money The increased cost would be more than offset by the savings in training because recruitment and retention are problems Federal law enforcement agencies face today This is especially true for agencies whose officers do not have LEO status We believe extending these benefits would help increase recruitment and retention rates THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
Most importantly an investment in these officers will pay unquantifiable dividends in national security and public safety for the value of highly trained and experienced law enforcement is immeasurable Comparison between LEO and Non LEO Benefits A Federal Law Enforcement Officer LEO who retires at age fifty 50 with twenty 20 years of covered service whose high 3 is 65 000 would get 22 100 a year in retirement plus the option of continued health and life insurance A GS 0083 officer without LEO status who retires today at age fifty 50 with twenty 20 years of service whose high 3 is 65 000 would get just 13 000 a year in retirement until age 56 He only gets an immediate annuity and continued health and life insurance if he was RIFed or the agency had voluntary early retirement authority The officer with LEO status gets almost twice as much than the GS 0083 Officer with the same salary age and service A LEO who retires at age fifty five 55 with twenty five 25 years of covered service whose high 3 is 70 000 would get 40 900 a year in retirement plus the option of continued health and life insurance A GS 0083 officer without LEO status who retires today at age fifty five 55 with twenty five 25 years of service whose high 3 is 70 000 might not be eligible for any immediate annuity at all Again he is only eligible if his retirement was the result of a RIF downsizing or agency early out program If he were retiring at his own discretion he would not qualify for any annuity at all until he reached age fifty seven 57 and then the annuity would be reduced by 25 for being five 5 years younger than sixty two 62 So at age fifty seven 57 he could start getting 17 500 a year but he would not be eligible for continued health or life insurance The officer with LEO status in this case also gets more than 2 times what the GS 0083 officer gets with the same salary age and service 80 000 Retirement Benefits 70 000 60 000 50 000 40 000 High 3 30 000 LEO Status 20 000 Non LEO Status 10 000 0 Age 50 w 20 yrs Age 55 w 25 yrs Retirement Age w Yrs Service THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
The Protect and Serve Act Facts and Analysis This legislation will be reintroduced for the 118th Congress soon In 2018 this same legislation passed the House on a 382 35 vote The legislation would create a new Federal offense for those who deliberately target law enforcement officers with violence and is a direct response to the increased number of law enforcement officers who have been targeted for attack The FACTS In October 2015 the U S Department of Justice released a report entitled Ambushes of Police The report detailed the number of ambush attacks on law enforcement officers from 1990 2013 In 2013 alone there were between 200 and 300 ambush attacks reported The Executive Summary of the report states the proportion of fatal attacks on officers attributable to ambushes is increasing Concerns about targeted violence against police are on the rise while officers must not only be guardians of the public but also be prepared to respond to violence targeting them In May 2017 the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI released a report entitled The Assailant Study Mindset and Behavior The report identified a disturbing and growing trend of attackers who are motivated by a desire to kill a law enforcement officer This motivation the report concludes is from a singular narrative that portrays the officer as guilty in traditional and social media and the subject as the victim A December 2017 study by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services entitled Making It Safer examined law enforcement officer fatalities from 2010 2016 including ambush attacks The study found that 20 of ambushed officers were seated in their patrol cars and that 56 percent were not on a call or engaged in any enforcement activity Many of these officers were simply eating sitting on post or in five cases targeted and killed while at their home or on their way home In 2018 the Criminal Justice Information Services Division within the FBI released a report entitled Ambushes and Unprovoked Attacks Assaults on Our Nation s Law Enforcement Officers This comprehensive report concluded While the overall number of officers who were feloniously killed was declining the percentage of officers feloniously killed during surprise attacks was increasing THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
In 2018 237 officers were shot in the line of duty and 53 were killed Of these 22 officers were shot in an ambush attack and five of these officers died Officer deaths by gunfire increased 24 from 2017 In 2019 293 officers were shot in the line of duty 50 of whom were killed The number of officers shot in an ambush attack increased to 30 and seven of those officers were killed The number of officers shot in the line of duty went up 20 in 2019 Eighteen percent 18 of the officers killed by gunfire in 2019 were killed in an ambush attack In 2020 314 officers were shot in the line of duty 47 of whom were killed There were 43 ambush attacks on law enforcement officers which resulted in 52 officers being shot 12 of whom were killed The number of officers shot in the line of duty increased 7 from 2019 and 33 compared to 2018 In 2021 346 officers were shot in the line of duty 63 of whom were killed There have been 103 ambush stye attacks on law enforcement officers 115 from 2020 which resulted in 130 officers being shot 30 of whom were killed This information does not account for officers who were ambushed with any other weapons In 2022 331 officers were shot in the line of duty 62 of whom were killed There were 89 ambush style attacks on law enforcement officers in which 126 officers were shot and 32 of whom were killed ANALYSIS Section by Section Section 1 Short Title The short title of the bill is the Protect and Serve Act Section 2 Crimes targeting law enforcement officers This section creates a new Federal offense for anyone who knowingly assaults a law enforcement officer and would sentence such an offender to a term of imprisonment of 10 years or for life for murder or attempted murder In order for these charges to be filed the U S Attorney General must certify that the State does not have jurisdiction the State has asked the Federal government to assume jurisdiction the verdict or sentence at the State level left demonstratively unvindicated the Federal interest in protecting public safety or a Federal prosecution is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
H R 354 the LEOSA Reform Act Section by section analysis This proposed legislation would make minor but important changes to the existing Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act LEOSA statute 18 USC 926B and 926C to improve the safety of our nation s qualified active and retired law enforcement Section 1 Short Title The short title of the bill is the LEOSA Reform Act Section 2 Conforming the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act and the Gun Free School Zones Act The LEOSA statute exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from State and local prohibitions on the carriage of concealed firearms This exemption however does not apply to areas governed by Federal law or regulation The Gun Free School Zones Act GFSZA has seven exemptions in current law including those who are licensed to carry firearms in the State where the school is located A qualified active or retired law enforcement officer must abide by the GFSZA Section 2 would add an eighth exemption to the GFSZA to include anyone authorized to carry under LEOSA Issue In some States a mother with a CCW permit can carry her firearm while attending an event at her child s school However the child s grandfather a qualified retired law enforcement officer or his active duty uncle from out of State could not Section 3 Making Improvements to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act a Under the current statute the LEOSA exemption does not apply to common or contract carriers like public transportation or other public areas This paragraph would expand the LEOSA exemption to include property used by a common or contract carrier and to property that is open to the public Issue An active duty law enforcement officer visiting a different jurisdiction may not be able to use local buses trolleys or ferries during his or her visit b Under the current statute active and qualified law enforcement officers carrying under LEOSA cannot carry in national parks However individuals that have licenses from a State or which have reciprocity with the State may lawfully carry into national parks located in that State This paragraph would expand the LEOSA exemption to cover national parks THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
Issue Two friends visit Scott s Bluff National Monument The civilian is carrying a firearm because he or she has a permit issued by Nebraska His or her friend an active law enforcement officer from Florida who can carry in Nebraska under LEOSA cannot carry his or her firearm into the national park c The LEOSA exemption in current law does not apply to magazine capacity This paragraph would clarify Congressional intent that magazines like ammunition and the firearm itself should be exempt from State and local law Issue An active or retired law enforcement officer who is trained with and qualified to carry a semiautomatic firearm with a 12 round magazine cannot travel into a jurisdiction which restricts magazine size unless he or she brings a weapon with a magazine that conforms to State law This means the officer must leave his or her firearm behind and expose himself or herself to jeopardy or decide to carry a firearm with which he or she is less familiar d This paragraph makes minor changes to the existing statute with respect to qualification and training standards Under current law qualified retired law enforcement officers must re certify every 12 months This provision would allow States to lengthen this time period for up to 36 months It also clarifies Congressional intent that the standards which must be met by the qualified retired law enforcement officer can be set and conducted by 1 the officer s former agency 2 the State in which the officer resides 3 any law enforcement agency within the State in which the officer resides or 4 a firearms instructor certified by the State in which the officer resides to conduct active duty firearms training Issue Some States may wish to save on resource and training costs by lengthening the time between requalification The existing language in the statute regarding training and standards is clarified Section 4 Permitting Qualified Current and Retired Law Enforcement Officers to Carry Firearms in Certain Federal Facilities Under current law an active local or State law enforcement officer can only enter a U S Post Office Social Security Administration Office Veterans Affairs Office or similar Federal facility if they are there in an official capacity i e a call for service This Section would allow any active or retired law enforcement officer carrying under the LEOSA to lawfully access these facilities Issue A law enforcement officer even if on duty and in full uniform cannot lawfully enter a Social Security Administration building or similar facility to drop off paperwork pick up a form or speak to an employee An officer can only enter the facility if they are responding to a call for service THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
The HELPER Act Homes for Every Local Protector Educator and Responder The FOP supports legislation to assist our members looking for affordable housing for themselves and their families which is why we support the Homes for Every Local Protector Educator and Responder HELPER Act This legislation is modeled on the very successful U S Department of Veterans Affairs VA home loan program which expands housing opportunities for service members and veterans and the Good Neighbor Next Door GNND program administered by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD This program which the FOP helped develop more than 20 years ago is designed to encourage law enforcement and certain other public servants to buy homes in revitalization areas by providing incentives in the form of a discount on the list price of the house The GNND has proven inadequate as a solution due to the limited and ever changing nature of the properties among other issues The lack of affordable housing is also contributing to a crisis in recruiting and retaining quality law enforcement officers According to a 2021 survey two thirds of survey respondents claimed that high housing costs make it more difficult to recruit new officers 1 One third of officers who responded to the survey said they left agencies because they could not find affordable housing The HELPER Act addresses this issue by establishing a new home loan program for public safety officers and teachers to be administered by the Federal Housing Administration FHA which would create a one time use home loan program under the FHA for law enforcement officers firefighters emergency medical technicians EMT paramedics and pre K 12 teachers eliminate the down payment requirement eliminate the monthly mortgage insurance premium MIP requirement require a 3 6 percent upfront mortgage insurance UFMI premium to ensure the solvency of the program and requires the program to be reauthorized after five years The HELPER Act will give the men and women of law enforcement who work tirelessly every day to protect our communities more opportunities to find homes they can afford in and near the communities they protect 1 Two third s of survey respondents claimed that high housing costs make it more difficult to recruit new officers THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
Lobbying Tips Consider Yourself an Information Source Remember you are the expert on law enforcement Utilize this opportunity to educate your elected officials about the needs and concerns of law enforcement officers Refer to the Legislative Briefing Book provided by the NFOP Legislative Office Legislators want to know how a specific issue will affect their districts Share personal or local experiences about the issues with your legislators If you don t know the answers to some of their questions tell them so Make notes and follow up with the answers after the meetings Try to Make Personal Connections Make the legislator aware of any personal connections you may have No matter how insignificant you may feel it is if you have friends relatives or colleagues in common let them know Use personal examples from your own life or the lives or your neighbors Be Organized Be on Time If you are part of a group meeting with an elected official select a spokesperson to lead the discussion Know the time frame you are under and highlight a few key issues Determine who will speak on each issue Be Concise Legislators and staff have limited time and many demands Be sure to stay on message on those three top legislative priorities important to law enforcement You will be lucky to have a full 15 minutes to discuss them with the legislator or staff and it is critical that they understand the importance of them all Expect Surprises and Be Flexible Legislators have very unpredictable schedules on session days causing them to run late or be called away Don t be disappointed if they have to cut your meetings short Make the most of them by focusing on a few key issues and following up with detailed information in writing Don t be disappointed if you meet with a member of their staff often they know more details about the issues than their bosses do and they are the ones who advise legislators how to vote Anticipate Reactions and Stay on Message After explaining your views ask the legislators where they stand on the issue Try to understand their perspective and tailor your approach accordingly If they are undecided focus on your message Respectfully maintain your position even if you know they don t agree If they change the subject to avoid getting pinned down on an issue try to bridge the discussion back to your message Follow Up Send thank you notes reviewing the issues you discussed Be sure to send legislators any additional materials requested including answers to questions for which you didn t have answers during the meeting Let them know you are a resource that is available to them in the future THE VOICE OF OUR NATION S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Since 1915
HELPFUL LINKSH.R. 82, THE "SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT"SEE IF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS A COSPONSOR@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDIRECTORYU.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDIRECTORYUNITED STATES SENATEH.R. 354, THE "LEOSA REFORM ACT"SEE IF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS A COSPONSOR
TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICESOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACTThis bill would repeal both the "Windfall Elimination Provision" and the "Government PensionOffset" in current Social Security law.LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ EQUITY ACTThis bill would expand the definition of "law enforcement officer" for salary and retirementbenefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers.COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTSThe “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act” would recognize the right of lawenforcement and other public safety officers to bargain collectively with their employers.LEOSA REFORM ACTThe bill would amend the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (LEOSA), exempting qualifiedactive and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carriage ofconcealed firearms, to ensure that these officers are able to carry in the same venues as civilianconcealed carry permit holders and extends the exemption to magazine capacity. It would allowactive and retired law enforcement to access services at some Federal buildings and offices.PROTECT AND SERVE ACTThe bill would make it a Federal crime to target a law enforcement officer with an assault thatresults in seriously bodily harm or death.MORE RESOURCES LIST OF BILLS SUPPORTEDNOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATENOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATENOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATEH.R. 8294 COSPONSORSR: 31 D: 63H.R. 35421 COSPONSORSR: 21 D: 0NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATENOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE
DONATEClick HereDONATEClick HereCAN YOU CHIP IN $5?The Fraternal Order of Police is committed to improving the working conditionsof law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education,legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. The National FOP Political Action Committee (NFOP PAC) is the power behindour organization's punch on Capitol Hill, representing its members in the mosteffective way possible.Our challenge to you is to have each and every FOP member in your department,lodge, and State commit $5.00 a month to the NFOP PAC. Please contact theNational Legislative Office to learn about the various ways you can contribute tothe NFOP PAC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
CAPITOL COMPLEX MAPT1 2 34562Dirksen Senate Office Building3Hart Senate Office Building4Cannon House Office Building5Longworth House Office Building6Rayburn House Office Building1Russell Senate Office Building7U.S. Capitol Building467 Cannon House Office BuildingThanks to the U.S. Capitol PoliceLabor Committee, the FOP hassecured a room on the 4th floor forFOP members to gather in betweenmeetings. The room will be availableto use on Tuesday and Wednesdaybetween 9am-6pm.@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE7
TIM RICHARDSONSenior Legislative Liaison JIM PASCOExecutive DirectorMARK MCDONALDLegislative Liaison DAVID TABOHLegislative Liaison 328 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002PHONE: 202-547-8189 ▪ FAX: 202-547-8190WASHINGTON D.C. STAFF@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEASA RENDERLegislative Liaison