Sign Up to Receive the FOP's Weekly UpdateJIM PASCOExecutive DirectorPATRICK YOESNational PresidentNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE WEEKLY UPDATE | 15 MARCH 2021
NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE WEEKLY UPDATE 15 MARCH 2021 WASHINGTON WATCH legislative update PATRICK YOES National President Sign Up to Receive the FOP s Weekly Update JIM PASCO Executive Director
Nominees that have been confirmed by the Senate T H E W H I T E H O U S E@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON
THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESThe House considered and passed H.R. 1085 on a 413-12 vote. Theresolution awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the agencies thatplayed a role in protecting the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.Specifically, it recognizes the heroism of U.S Capitol Police OfficersBrian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan PoliceDepartment Officer Jeffrey Smith, and those who sustained injuries.In addition, it recognizes the courage of U.S. Capitol Police OfficerEugene Goodman as well as the patriotism and commitment of U.S.Capitol Police officers and other responding law enforcementofficers who risked their lives in service of our country.@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON
THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESThe House considered and passed H.R. 1652, the "VOCA Fix toSustain the Crime Victims Fund Act," on a 384-38 vote, which wouldsupport victim service programs by preventing future cuts to alreadydiminished Federal victim service grants. The bill was transmitted tothe Senate for further action.The House considered and passed H.R. 6, the "Dream Act," on a 228-197 vote. The legislation would provide certain aliens with a path toreceive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions. The bill was transmitted to the Senate for furtheraction.The House considered and passedH.R. 1620, the "Violence AgainstWomen Act Reauthorization Act," ona 224-172 vote, which wouldreauthorize programs and activitiesunder the "Violence Against WomenAct" that seek to prevent andrespond to domestic violence,sexual assault, dating violence, andstalking. The bill was transmitted tothe Senate for further action.@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON
THE UNITED STATES SENATEThe Senate confirmed the nomination of Xavier Becerra to beSecretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on a50-49 vote.Senator Thomas R. Tillis (R-SC) introduced S. 774, the "Protect andServe Act," which is a priority legislative item for the FOP. Thelegislation would impose Federal penalties on individuals whodeliberately target law enforcement officers with violence.@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONThe Senate confirmed thenomination of Debra A. Haaland tobe Secretary of the U.S. Departmentof the Interior on a 51-40 vote.CLICK HERE TO URGE YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THIS BILL
This bill would expand the definition of "law enforcement officer" for salaryand retirement benefits to include all Federal law enforcement officers.The “Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act"This bill would repeal both the "Windfall Elimination Provision" and the"Government Pension Offset" in current Social Security law.The “Social Security Fairness Act”COSPONSORS3211179H.R. 82NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE+17 NEW@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPThis bill would recognize the right of law enforcement and other publicsafety officers to bargain collectively with their employers.The “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act”NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OR SENATEF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ETOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESCOSPONSORS62418H.R. 962NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE+7 NEW
This bill would amend the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (LEOSA), whichexempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from local andState prohibitions on the carriage of concealed firearms, to ensure that theseofficers are able to carry in the same venues as civilian concealed carry permitholders in areas like schools and national parks, as well as use publictransportation and extends the exemption to magazine capacity and wouldallow active and retired law enforcement officers to access services at U.S. postoffices, Social Security Administration offices or Veterans Affairs facilities.The "LEOSA Reform Act"@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ECOSPONSORS29301H.R. 1210NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATEThe "Protect and Serve Act"This bill would make it a Federal crime to target a law enforcement officerwith an assault that results in seriously bodily harm or death.LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES+3 NEWCOSPONSORS16160S. 774NEWLY INTRODUCEDNOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSECLICK TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF BILLS SUPPORTED BY THE FOPCLICK TO SEE MORE RESOURCES ON OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C EFOP ACTION CENTERSOCIAL SECURITYFight for Fairness! TellCongress to pass H.R. 82, the"Social Security Fairness Act."FEDERAL OFFICERSTell Congress to support H.R.962, the "Law EnforcementOfficers' Equity Act."LEOSA REFORMTell Congress to support H.R.1201, the "LEOSA Reform Act."PROTECT & SERVETell Congress to support thepolice and pass S. 774, the"Protect and Serve Act."QUALIFIED IMMUNITYTell Congress to OPPOSE theelimination of the establisheddoctrine on qualified immunity.
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ELETTERNational President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Senators Fischer and Smith in support ofS. 662, the “ATTAIN Mental Health Act”
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ELETTERNational President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Senators Coons and Cornyn in support ofS. 675, the “NICS Denial Notification Act"
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ELETTERNational President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Senator Tillis in support of S. 774, the"Protect and Serve Act," which is a priority legislative item for the FOP
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ELETTERNational President Yoes sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging them toextend the DEA's temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ELast summer, with widespread civil unrest and the nationwide "defund the police" movement as abackdrop, the House of Representatives quickly and easily passed the George Floyd Justice inPolicing Act. Luckily, the bill stopped there when the Senate did not take up the matter with furtheraction sunsetting when the 116th Congress ended.Well, welcome to the 117th Congress. With 190 Democratic co-sponsors on board, RepresentativeKaren R. Bass (D-Calif.) recently brought this bill back for a second round.In late February, the bill was reintroduced as H.R. 1280. Although under a new bill number, it isidentical in virtually every respect to the bill passed by the House last year. The legislation was notreferred to committee, and instead proceeded directly to the House floor for consideration. Thisaction was considered on the floor under what is called a "closed rule," meaning no meaningfulamendments could be debated on the floor. The vote on this bill, which took place during the firstweek of March, was recently passed by the House and has been transmitted to the Senate.Last summer, the FOP continually engaged with the bill's author, Representative Bass, SpeakerPelosi and other House leaders. We provided feedback as the debate took place in the House.Executive Director Jim Pasco and I met with Representative Bass, where we discussed areas inwhich the FOP could work with her to advance improvements to the criminal justicesystem. Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity for further engagement or to suggestchanges to the legislation before the vote.With the second passage of this bill in the House, it will now be transmitted to the Senate forfurther consideration. This is a disappointing development. Although there are aspects of the billthat the FOP could potentially support, we have strong objections to the provisions that wouldeliminate the doctrine of qualified immunity and fundamentally alter the Graham v. Connorstandard on "objective reasonableness."Practically every career law enforcement officer has concern with at least some of the languageoutlined in H.R. 1280. Portions of this bill would have far-reaching changes to policing, as well asto the stability of the law enforcement workforce in America. We need to be mindful that theHouse's passage of this bill is just one step and just one vote; we will ensure that your voices areheard as it moves to the Senate.The decision not to consider input from rank-and-file law enforcement officers and lawenforcement associations in the bill's development has resulted in many problematic provisions inthe House bill, H.R. 1280. As written, the bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate unless majorchanges are made. We believe that we will have the opportunity to address these concerns nowthat the bill is moving into the Senate, and we are confident that the bill advanced from the Housewill not be enacted in its current form. The FOP is already engaging with members of both partiesin the Senate, particularly with members of the Judiciary Committee, which will be consideringpolice reform legislation. CLICK HERE TELL YOUR SENATORS TO OPPOSE ELIMINATING QUALIFIED IMMUNITYICYMI: A MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL PRESIDENT YOESGEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT: ROUND TWO
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPSHARESHARERRETWEETETWEETLLIKEIKEFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICETWEET OF THE WEEK
AS OF MARCH 1, 2021@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE2021 OFFICERS SHOT & KILLEDKILLED BY GUNFIREOFFICERS SHOTOFFICERS WERE SHOT IN AMBUSH ATTACKSAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinois1001420052000IndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontana0100201000110NebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto Rico0000225031102Rhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming0000710100000* THIS DATA WAS COLLECTED BY THE NATIONAL FOP LEGISLATIVE OFFICE *
The National Legislative Office providedFOP members with information, releasedby the U.S. Department of Labor,regarding OSHA launching a program toprotect high-risk workers fromcoronavirus. The National Legislative Office providedFOP members with information, releasedby the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, regarding guidance foressential workers on when and how toget vaccinated. The National Legislative Office providedFOP members with information, releasedby the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, regarding the observance ofthe one-year milestone for the COVID-19pandemic. The National Legislative Office providedFOP members with information, releasedby the White House, regarding a factsheet for the announcement that allAmericans will be eligible for COVID-19vaccines by May 1st. COVID-19 Information for Law EnforcementProtecting Public Safety and HealthFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEBeen Exposed?Are You Sick?READ MORE READ MORE READ MOREMARCH 17:READ MOREMARCH 16:READ MOREMARCH 14:READ MOREMARCH 15:READ MOREW W W . F O P C O V I D 1 9 . O R G@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICERECENT COVID-19 ACTIVITY
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEAS OF MARCH 19, 2021COVID-19 LINE-OF-DUTY DEATHSOFFICERS HAVE DIEDIN THE LINE OF DUTYDUE TO COVID-19* THIS DATA WAS COLLECTED BY THE NATIONAL FOP LEGISLATIVE OFFICE *
@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICECLICK TO SUBMIT A FEEDBACK FORMWATCH THE VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE BRIEFINGVIEW THE BRIEFING BOOK AND OTHER RESOURCESCONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DAY ON THE HILL 2021THE FOP'S ANNUAL#FOPOn The Hil l2021 DAY ON THE HILL
FOP-TV PROGRAM GUIDEGrassroots Public Relations & Media Talk"Keeping Resilience Front & Center"Community and Media Relations Tool KitCRI TAC PartnershipFOP Nationwide HealthcareCollective Bargaining & ArbitrationCivilian OversightQualified ImmunityTO WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODESCLICK HERETune in every week for a new episode of FOP-TV whereNational Fraternal Order of Police leaders discuss new andrelevant topics that are impacting our profession and importantto leading our organization through these turbulent times.@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPFRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEFOP TV ON DEMAND
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The Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC)provides no cost, customized technical assistance solutions designed tomeet the unique needs of state, local, tribal, & campus law enforcementagencies throughout the U.S.The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides innovative leadership tofederal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-theart knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for theimplementation of these crime fighting strategies. The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing professionals,develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training andtechnical assistance to community members, local government leaders, andall levels of law enforcement.Visit WebsiteVisit WebsiteVisit WebsiteU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEOffice of Justice Programs@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C E
The Fraternal Order of Police is committed to improving theworking conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety ofthose we serve through education, legislation, information,community involvement, and employee representation. Our challenge to you is to have each and every FOP member inyour department, lodge, and State commit $5.00 a month to theNFOP PAC. Please contact the National Legislative Office to learnabout the various ways you can contribute to the NFOP PAC.The NFOP PAC is the power behindour organization's punch on CapitolHill, representing its members inthe most effective way possible. CAN YOU CHIP IN $5?Call:202-547-8189Email:mmason@fop.net@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C ETHE NATIONAL FOP POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Administrative Assistant mmason@fop.netLegislative Liaison rtyus@fop.netLegislative Liaisonmmcdonald@fop.netPress Liaison jcahill@fop.netSenior Legislative Liaison trichardson@fop.net328 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002Phone: 202-547-8189 Fax: 202-547-8190Law Enforcement Legislative Advocacy CenterExecutive Director jpasco@fop.net@FOPNATIONAL@GLFOPF R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C E