Return to flip book view

WASHINGTON WATCHN A T I O N A L F R A T E R N A L O R D E R O F P O L I C E W E E K L Y U P D A T E | 9 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2L E G I S L A T I V E U P D A T EJIM PASCOPATRICK YOES THE VOICE OF OUR NATION'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSExecutive DirectorNational President- Subscribe to the FOP’s Weekly Update -

LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational President Patrick Yoes attended theCharlotte-Mecklenburg FOP Lodge #9graduation dinner for law enforcement recruitsin Charlotte, North Carolina.NATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE @GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNational President Patrick Yoes traveled toCharlotte, North Carolina to participate in aCelebration of Life, hosted by Charlotte-Mecklenburg FOP Lodge #9, for PastPresident of the North Carolina StateFraternal Order of Police, Don Penix.On 20 October, North Carolina State FOP PastPresident Don Penix passed peacefully andsurrounded by family.National President Patrick Yoes participated in a U.S. Department ofHomeland Security Advisory Council meeting in Washington, D.C.National President Patrick Yoes worked out of the Government and MediaAffairs Center in Washington, D.C. as well as the National Headquarters inNashville, Tennessee this week.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYCLICK TO SUBSCRIBELISTEN TO EPISODE@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICENational President Patrick Yoesparticipated in an Executive Sessionmeeting of the National LawEnforcement Officers MemorialFund's Board of Directors.On last week's episode of the Blue View, National President Patrick Yoes satdown with Representative Garret N. Graves (R-LA) to discuss the fight forfairness. Since he was first elected in 2014, Representative Graves has beena leader on the issue of fairness. Today, he continues to be an outspokenadvocate for repealing the WEP and GPO in current Social Security law.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITY@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICENational President Patrick Yoes gave numerous media interviews regardinglaw enforcement challenges on the horizon, law enforcement line-of-dutydeaths, the increase of violence toward law enforcement officers across thecountry, as well as the recruitment and retention crisis.Executive Director Jim Pasco spokewith Heather Fong, Counselor to theU.S. Secretary of Homeland Security,regarding U.S. Customs and BorderProtection (CBP) activities.Executive Director Jim Pasco spokewith Erika Dinkel-Smith, Director forLabor within the White House Officeof Public Engagement, regarding thelaw enforcement apprenticeshipprogram the FOP is developing.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with U.S. Associate Attorney GeneralVanita Gupta regarding the law enforcement apprenticeship program as wellas the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) agenda for 2023.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYExecutive Director Jim Pasco gave numerous media interviews regardingvarious topics, including the recruitment and retention issue that agencies arefacing nationwide as well as the surge in violent crime.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison DavidTaboh met with Representative Peter A. Sessions (R-TX) to talk about issuesof mutual concern and ways he can support State and local law enforcementin the 118th Congress.@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEExecutive Director Jim Pasco and Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardsonjoined Karhlton Moore, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA),and Hope D. Janke, Director of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program, todiscuss ways for the BJA to support State and local law enforcement. Thepending implementation of the recently signed into law Public Safety OfficersSupport Act (PSOSA) was also discussed.

LEGI SLAT IVE NEWS & A CTIV ITY@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICESenior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office ofJoshua S. Gottheimer (D-NJ) to discuss potential opportunities to move lawenforcement priorities in the waning hours of the 117th Congress as well asstrategies for the upcoming Congress.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson represented the FOP on aconference call hosted by the International Association of Chiefs of Policeand the U.S. Department of Justice to review a report on the use of force.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison DavidTaboh attended the monthly meeting of the Public Pension Network todiscuss potential legislation in this Congress as well as strategy for the 118thCongress.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke to numerous House officesregarding S. 4834, the “Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology toEradicate Cyber Threats (PROTECT) Our Children Act.”Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office ofRepresentative John R. Carter (R-TX) about H.R. 3079, the “Protect and ServeAct,” and a draft bill to strip away certain benefits of those convicted ofattacks on law enforcement officers.

THE WHITE HOUSETHIS WEE K IN WAS HING TON@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEToday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed H.R. 521, the First ResponderFair Return for Employees on Their Initial Retirement Earned (RETIRE) Act intolaw. The bill, which received critical support from the FOP, will allow Federallaw enforcement and other public safety officers who are disabled in the lineto keep their enhanced retirement benefits if they return to Federal service ina non-law enforcement role.

THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESTHIS WEE K IN WAS HING TON@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe House considered and passed H.R. 7776, the legislative vehicle for the“National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023,” on a 350-80 vote.The bill was transmitted to the Senate, which is expected to vote on thelegislation next week.The House passed H.R. 8404, the “Respect for Marriage Act,” on a 258-169vote. The legislation was sent to the President, who is expected to sign it intolaw.The House passed S. 4834, the “PROTECT our Children Act,” on a 421-1 vote.This FOP-supported legislation, which reauthorizes the Internet CrimesAgainst Children (ICAC) Task Force Program to combat child exploitation,was sent to the President, who is expected to sign it into law.

THIS WEE K IN WAS HING TONTHE UNITED STATES SENATE@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe Senate confirmed numerous judicial nominees.The Senate Committee on the Judiciary advanced numerous judicialnominees.The Senate passed H.R. 263, the “Big Cat Public Safety Act,” by unanimousconsent. This FOP-supported legislation was sent to the President, who isexpected to sign it into law.

COSPONSORS94305211H.R. 82LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ EQUITYSOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESSCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTSCOSPONSORS154S. 1888COSPONSORS103525H.R. 3225NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATECOSPONSORS2510580H.R. 962COSPONSORS44238S. 1302The “Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act" would expand the definition of "lawenforcement officer" for salary and retirement benefits to include all Federallaw enforcement officers.The “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act” would recognize theright of law enforcement and other public safety officers to bargaincollectively with their employers.The “Social Security Fairness Act” would repeal both the "Windfall EliminationProvision" and the "Government Pension Offset" in current Social Security law.TOP LEGI SLAT IVE PRIO RITI ES@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

The "LEOSA Reform Act" would amend the Law Enforcement Officers' SafetyAct (LEOSA), exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officersfrom local and State prohibitions on the carriage of concealed firearms, toensure that these officers are able to carry in the same venues as civilianconcealed carry permit holders in areas like schools and national parks, as wellas use public transportation and extends the exemption to magazine capacityand would allow active and retired law enforcement officers to access servicesat U.S. post offices, Social Security Administration offices or Veterans Affairsfacilities.LEOSA REFORMCOSPONSORS220S. 1610COSPONSORS58591H.R. 1210PROTECT AND SERVEThe "Protect and Serve Act" would make it a Federal crime to target a lawenforcement officer with an assault that results in seriously bodily harm or death.MORE RESOURCES ON OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESFULL LIST OF LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY THE FOPCOSPONSORS23230S. 774COSPONSORS82908H.R. 3079LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

BLUE VIEW PODCASTTHE BLUE VIEW PODCASTNational President Patrick Yoes sits down with guests to discussthe issues and current events surrounding the law enforcementcommunity. Each week you'll hear from law enforcementexperts, elected officials, and notable leaders!SUBSCRIBE@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELISTEN NOWwith Congressman Garret GravesFIGHTING FOR FAIRNESSThe Social Security Fairness Act is thenumber one legislative priority for the FOP.Because of current Social Security law,millions of retired police officers,firefighters, and other governmentemployees face as much as a 60% cut totheir Social Security benefits... MOREwith Jason LehmanTEARING DOWN WALLSLISTEN NOWNational President Patrick Yoes sits downwith retired Long Beach Police DepartmentSergeant Jason Lehman. His organization,rather uniquely, gives speakingpresentations to both law enforcementagencies and within the schools andcommunities that these agencies... MORE

FOP NEWSROOMThe National Fraternal Order of Police reports that as of30 November, there have been 302 officers shot so far in2022, 56 of whom were killed by gunfire... MoreFOP Monthly Update: Officers Shot and Killed@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEAs big-name retailers like Walmart and Home Depot warnof rising retail thefts this holiday season, two experts arepredicting the surge “only escalates from here” into an“epidemic.”... MoreEx-CEO sounds alarm about retail theft:‘Spreading faster than COVID’ [NY Post]A 38-year-old Border Patrol agent was killed in a high-speed pursuit of a group of illegal immigrants in Mission,Texas on Wednesday... MoreUS Border Patrol agent killed in high-speed chaseof illegal immigrant group [Fox News]National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to SpeakerPelosi and Representative McCarthy in support of S. 4834,the “PROTECT Our Children Act.”... MoreS. 4834, the “PROTECT Our Children Act”National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to SenatorsMarshall and Shaheen in support of S. 4858, the “CooperDavis Act.”... MoreS. 4858, the “Cooper Davis Act”

MAKE Y URVOICE HEARDSOCIAL SECURITYThis is About Fairness! UrgeCongress to Pass the "SocialSecurity Fairness Act"FEDERAL OFFICERSSupport Our Federal Officers byPassing the "Law EnforcementOfficers' Equity Act"LEOSA REFORMSupport Active and Retired LawEnforcement Officers by Passingthe "LEOSA Reform Act"PROTECT AND SERVEUrge Congress to Protect OurPolice Officers and Pass the"Protect and Serve Act"HELPER ACTSupport Law Enforcement! Tell Congress to Pass H.R. 3172/S. 2981COLLECTIVE BARGAININGWe Must Fight for the Right toBargain Collectively! UrgeCongress to Pass H.R. 3225TAKE ACTIONTAKE ACTIONTAKE ACTIONTAKE ACTIONTAKE ACTIONTAKE ACTIONFOP ACTION CENTER@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

LEARN MORE LEARN MORELEARN MORELEARN MOREOn the Blue View, a weekly podcastpresented by the National FraternalOrder of Police, you'll hear from lawenforcement experts, electedofficials, and other notable leadersto gain insight into the issues andcurrent events surrounding the lawenforcement community. The Collaborative Reform InitiativeTechnical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) provides no cost, customizedtechnical assistance solutionsdesigned to meet the uniqueneeds of state, local, tribal, &campus law enforcement agenciesthroughout the United States.The COPS Office awards grants tohire community policingprofessionals, develop and testinnovative policing strategies, andprovide training and technicalassistance to community members,local government leaders, and alllevels of law enforcement. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP)provides innovative leadership toFederal, state, local, and tribal justicesystems, by disseminating state-of-theart knowledge and practices, andproviding grants for theimplementation of these crimefighting strategies. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEOFFICE OF JUSTICEPROGRAMSADDITIONAL RESOURCES@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

DONATEClick HereDONATEClick HereCAN YOU CHIP IN $5?The Fraternal Order of Police is committed to improving the workingconditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we servethrough education, legislation, information, community involvement, andemployee representation. The National FOP PAC is the power behind our organization's punch onCapitol Hill, representing its members in the most effective way possible.Our challenge to you is to have each and every FOP member in yourdepartment, lodge, and State commit $5.00 a month to the NFOP PAC.Please contact the National Legislative Office to learn about the variousways you can contribute to the NFOP PAC. POL I TIC A L A C TIO N CO M MIT T EE@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

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 POLICE