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 | 2 2 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 & ACTIVITYREGISTER FOR THE NATIONAL FOP'S 2023 DAY ON THE HILLNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE @GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNational President Patrick Yoes gave numerous media interviews regarding lawenforcement challenges on the horizon, the increase of violence toward lawenforcement officers across the country as well as the recruitment and retentioncrisis. National President Yoes joined Fox & Friends to discuss the FOP's recentreport on officers shot and killed in the line of duty.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYCLICK TO SUBSCRIBELISTEN TO EPISODE@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEOn last week's episode of the Blue View, National President Patrick Yoes satdown with Indianapolis FOP President Rick Snyder to discuss the rise in violenceagainst law enforcement and what is fueling the crime crisis we’re seeing in citiesacross America.National President Patrick Yoes participated in a meeting with TASC regarding theGiveBack 555 program.National President Patrick Yoes and Legislative Liaison Mark McDonaldparticipated in a Zoom meeting with the FOP's Federal Officers' Coalition.National President Patrick Yoes participated in a meeting with representativesfrom the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITY@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEExecutive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Matt Klapper, Chief of Staff to the U.S.Attorney General, regarding upcoming opportunities for joint action between the FOPand the U.S. Department of Justice.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with U.S. Associate Attorney General Vanita Guptaregarding the direction of Federal grants to State and local law enforcement, includingofficer wellness as well as public safety officer suicides.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Heather Fong, Counselor to the U.S. Secretaryof Homeland Security, regarding existing vacancies within the law enforcementcomponents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.Executive Director Jim Pasco gave numerous media interviews regarding varioustopics, including the recruitment and retention issue that agencies are facingnationwide as well as the surge in violent crime.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson participated in a conference call with staffwith the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice to discusstechnology cost considerations in law enforcement.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson had numerous contacts with various Senatestaff to discuss the omnibus appropriations measure and advised them of the FOP’sstrong support for S. Amdt 6607, which will provide an additional $1 billion for theWorld Trade Center Health Program, partially closing a projected funding shortfall.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with Evan Davis, Director ofGovernment Affairs for the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to discussthe “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act” and other issues of mutualinterest in the 118th Congress.
THE WHITE HOUSETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr. welcomedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyto the White House. After their meeting,they held a joint press conference.@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyspoke before a joint session of Congress.In his speech, Zelensky thanked the U.S.for supporting his country’s defenseagainst Russia’s unlawful invasion andasked that the aid continue.President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed S. 4834, the “PROTECT Our Children Act,”into law. It reauthorizes the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forceprogram for two years.
THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESTHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe House considered and passed three human trafficking related bills, all ofwhich the FOP supported, by voice vote: S.3946, the “Abolish Human TraffickingReauthorization Act,” S. 3949, the “Trafficking Victims Prevention and ProtectionReauthorization Act,” and S. 4926, the Respect for Child Survivors Act.” The billswill be sent to the President to be signed into law.The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the UnitedStates Capitol held their final hearing. During the hearing, the Committee voted toapprove its final report and issued criminal referrals for former President DonaldJ. Trump, lawyer John Eastman, and others.The House considered and passed S.1541, the “Martha Wright-Reed Just andReasonable Communications Act,” by voice vote. The bill, which requires theFederal Communications Commission to ensure that charges for payphone andother communications services in correctional institutions are just andreasonable, will be sent to the President to be signed into law.The House considered and passed H.R. 9640, the “Presidential Tax Filings andAudit Transparency Act,” on a 222-201 vote. The bill, which would require theInternal Revenue Service to publicly release the tax returns of the President of theUnited States and conduct audits of those return, will now be transmitted to theSenate. Further action in this Congress is unlikely.
THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE UNITED STATES SENATE@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe Senate considered and passed H.R. 2617, the legislative vehicle for the“Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023,” on an 68-29 vote. The legislationincludes a provision that amends the Healthcare Enhancement for Local PublicSafety (HELPS) Retirees Act that repeals the direct pay requirement in current law,allowing officers to make the payment themselves and still receive the pre-tax$3,000 benefit. An amendment to the bill, S. Amdt 6607, was considered andadopted on a 90-6 vote. The amendment, which the FOP strongly supported,provides an additional $1 billion for the World Trade Center Health Program,partially closing a projected funding shortfall.The Senate considered and passed S. 365, the “Eliminate Network Distribution(END) Child Exploitation Act,” by Unanimous Consent. The bill, which the FOPsupported, was transmitted to the House for further action.The Senate considered and passed S. 4719, the “Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act,”by Unanimous Consent. The bill was transmitted to the House for further action.The Senate considered and passed S. 4859, the “Project Safe NeighborhoodsReauthorization Act,” which the FOP strongly supported, by Unanimous Consent.The bill was transmitted to the House for further action.The Senate Rules and Administration Committee held a hearing entitled:“Oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police.” Providing testimony at the hearing was U.S.Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger.
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 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES@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. 774COSPONSORS83918H.R. 3079LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
FOP NEWSROOM@GLFOP@FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEOn July 6 of this year, Detroit police officer Loren Courtsresponded to a call for a shooting on Marlowe Street.When police arrived, the 19-year-old suspect shot andkilled Courts while he was arriving in his cruiser... More323 officers shot in the line of duty in 2022:Police union [ABC News]The Drug Enforcement Administration said that it hadseized more than 379 million doses of fentanyl this year,the potentially deadly synthetic opioid linked tooverdoses... MoreU.S. Drug Agency Doubles Its Catch of Fentanyl-Laced Pills in 2022 [New York Times]The National Fraternal Order of Police reports that as of19 December, there have been 323 officers shot in the lineof duty so far in 2022... MoreFOP Monthly Update: Officers Shot and KilledPatrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order ofPolice, released the following statement regarding theNational FOP’s recent report on officers shot and killed inthe line of duty... MoreOne of the Most Dangerous Years for LawEnforcementThe National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) released areport Wednesday morning compiling the attacks... MoreFOP president blames ‘pandering prosecutors’and ‘cynical politicians’ for increased violenceagainst police [Fox News]
BLUE VIE W PO DCAS TTHE 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 NOWREAL TALK: WHAT'S FUELINGTHE CRIME CRISIS?with Rick SnyderThe United States is experiencing a realcrisis with the level of violence directed atour law enforcement officers. It's unlikeanything we've seen in the past 30 years.We’ve seen more than 300 law enforcementofficers shot in the line of duty this... MORELISTEN 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... MORE
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 ACTI ON C ENTE R@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 JUSTICEPROGRAMSADDI TION AL R ESOU RCES@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. POLI TICA L AC TION COM MITT 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 POLICEASA RENDERLegislative Liaison