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 | 3 1 M A R C H 2 0 2 3L 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 -

National President Patrick Yoesattended a ceremony at the Libraryof Congress, hosted by the NationalMedal of Honor Museum Foundation,commemorating the 160thanniversary of the Medal of Honor.LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational President Patrick Yoes gave an interview regarding the nationwideshortage of police officers and a proposal by Members of Congress to pass a one-time, emergency appropriations measure that would provide $162 million in Federalfunds to help State and local law enforcement agencies hire and retain officers. TheFOP supports the legislation, S. 972, the “Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act.”@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

National President Patrick Yoes and Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke tonumerous policy-making officials in the White House to express our strenuousopposition to the D.C. policing bill that would strip certain collective bargainingrights away from officers serving the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan PoliceDepartment. The FOP made clear our strong support for the House resolution todisapprove of the D.C. Council’s action, H.J. Res. 42, in order to preserve the rightsof these FOP members.National President Patrick Yoes and Executive Director Jim Pasco met with EdwardA. Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF),to discuss additional cooperative and collaborative efforts on issues of interest toboth our public safety disciplines.National President Patrick Yoes traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to attend theNational FOP's Board of Trustees Spring Meeting as well as the State FOPPresidents Meeting.LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITY@GLFOP @FOPNATINATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

This week, National President Patrick Yoes sat down with Bill Young, President ofthe Riverside Sheriff’s Association (RSA), to discuss how officers are paying withtheir lives for the cost of failed justice policies. President Young discussed thedetails of what led to a Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy being murdered by alifelong felon with an extensive criminal history dating back to before 2000, thesecond Deputy killed in a two-week time frame. The RSA, which is one of thenewest FOP lodges, represents over 3,500 law enforcement officers.LISTEN TO EPISODE CLICK TO SUBSCRIBELEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational President Patrick Yoes gave numerous media interviews regarding lawenforcement challenges on the horizon, the recruitment and retention crisis, and theNational FOP's data showing a rise in the number of officers shot in the line of duty.@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational Treasurer James Smallwood, who also serves as the President of theNashville FOP Andrew Jackson Lodge #5, gave numerous media interviewsregarding the heinous mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville,Tennessee, which left six victims dead, including three children.One of the interviews National Treasurer Smallwood gave was with Fox & Friends,during which he discussed the heroism displayed by Nashville Police Officers asthey responded to the tragic mass shooting at the Presbyterian private school.@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYFOP ACTION CENTERIT'S TIME TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HE AR DSenior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison David Taboh metwith stakeholder groups to discuss strategy for the introduction of the Homes forEvery Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act. The legislation,which the FOP supports, would establish a new home loan program specifically forpublic safety officers and teachers. The proposed program would be administeredby the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).Executive Director Jim Pasco traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to attend theNational FOP's Board of Trustees Spring Meeting.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of theU.S. Department of Homeland Security, and can report a satisfactory resolution toconcerns that were raised about the DHS reimbursement for law enforcement K9teams supporting the mission of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) atour nation’s airports.@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

The House considered and passed H. Con. Res. 15, which authorizes the use of theCapitol Grounds for the 42nd Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, viavoice vote. The Service will be held this year on Monday, 15 May on the West Lawnof the U.S. Capitol. The bill was transmitted to the Senate for further action.The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing entitled:“Overdue Oversight of the Capital City: Part I.” Greggory Pemberton, Chairman ofthe D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Labor Committee, testified in support ofH.J. Res. 42. The resolution, which the National FOP also supports, disapprovesthe adoption of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act(CPJRAA) by the Washington, D.C. City Council. If Congress does not pass thedisapproval resolution, and the President doesn’t sign it, then the right of FOP unionmembers to bargain collectively with the city over disciplinary procedures will beeliminated. The resolution was considered and passed by the Committee on a 21-17 vote and now awaits action by the full House.THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

The House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled: “Fiscal Year 2024 Requestfor the Department of Justice.” U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland testifiedat the hearing.The House Committee on Appropriations held a hearing entitled: “Fiscal Year 2024Request for the Department of Homeland Security.” U.S. Secretary of HomelandSecurity Alejandro N. Mayorkas testified at the hearing.The House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight,Investigations, and Accountability held a hearing entitled: “Biden’s Growing BorderCrisis: Death, Drugs, and Disorder on the Northern Border.”The House considered and passed H.R. 1, the “Lower Energy Costs Act,” whichprovides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energyresources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals), on a 225-204 vote. The bill was transmittedto the Senate for further action.THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

The Senate considered and passed S. 316, legislation which would repeal the 2002Iraq and the 1991 Gulf War resolutions authorizing the use of military force (AUMF),on a 66-30 vote. The bill was transmitted to the House for further action.The Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled: “A Review of the President’sFiscal Year 2024 Funding Request for the U.S. Department of Justice.” U.S. AttorneyGeneral Merrick B. Garland testified at the hearing.The Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled: “Oversight of theDepartment of Homeland Security.” U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security AlejandroN. Mayorkas testified at the hearing.The Senate Committee on Appropriations held a hearing entitled: “A Review of thePresident’s Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Request for the U.S. Department of HomelandSecurity.” U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas testified atthe hearing.THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE UNITED STATES SENATE@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

H.R. 354SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACTPROTECT AND SERVE ACTNOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATEH.R. 74313 COSPONSORSR: 10 D: 3TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESH.R. 82209 COSPONSORSR: 62 D: 147NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATENOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATENOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE28 COSPONSORSR: 28 D: 0LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ EQUITY ACTCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTSLEOSA REFORM ACTMORE RESOURCES LIST OF BILLS SUPPORTEDH.R. 13223 COSPONSORSR: 2 D: 1S. 59737 COSPONSORSR: 4 D: 33@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICENational President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Speaker McCarthy andRepresentatives Jeffries, Scalise, and Clark in support of H.J. Res. 42,a resolution disapproving the adoption of the Comprehensive... MoreH.J. Res. 42, a resolution disapproving the adoption ofthe CPJRAA by the Washington, D.C. City CouncilFOP NEWSROOMAs bystander and body-worn camera videos have revealed lawenforcement failings – from the murder of George Floyd... More‘A sense of pride’ swells across US police ranks asofficers hail the quick, heroic Nashville schoolmassacre response [CNN]Police and law enforcement personnel have come in for a thrashing innational media in recent years, with headlines and discussiondominated by stories like officer-involved shootings... More'Amazing' police response to Nashville shooting leaveseven skeptical media in 'awe' [Fox News]President Biden will veto a GOP-led resolution overturning a local D.C.police reform law if Congress passes it, the White House saidThursday... MoreBiden shifts strategy on next D.C. vote after HouseDem uproar [Axios]National FOP Treasurer James Smallwood, who also serves as thePresident of the Nashville FOP Andrew Jackson Lodge #5, spoke withNewsnation to discuss the heinous mass shooting... MoreBody Cam Footage of Nashville Police Officers TakingOut Shooter Released [NewsNation]

LISTENPolicing in America is facing anexistential threat that will take years toovercome. Officers are leaving ourprofession at an alarming rate while atthe same time, fewer candidates areseeking policing as a profession... MOREDEFENDING THE POLICE: THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINIONWITH CONGRESSMAN JIM BANKSLISTENOfficers across the country are payingwith their lives for failed justice policies.In December of 2022, a Riverside CountySheriff Deputy was murdered by alifelong felon with an extensive criminalhistory dating back to before 2000. Thismonster was only on the streets becausethe County Judge allowed him... MORETHE COST OF FAILED JUSTICE POLICIES: OFFICERS ACROSS THECOUNTRY ARE PAYING WITH THEIR LIVES WITH BILL YOUNGTHE BLUE VIEW PODCAST@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

LEARN MORE LEARN MORELEARN MORELEARN MOREOn the Blue View Podcast, you'llhear from law enforcementexperts, elected officials, andother notable leaders to gaininsight into the issues andcurrent events surrounding thelaw enforcement community. The Collaborative ReformInitiative Technical AssistanceCenter (CRI-TAC) provides no-cost, customized technicalassistance solutions designed tomeet the unique needs of state,local, tribal, and campus lawenforcement agencies.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 leadershipto Federal, state, local, and tribaljustice systems, by disseminatingstate-of-the art knowledge andpractices, and providing grants forthe implementation of these crimefighting strategies. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEOFFICE OF JUSTICEPROGRAMSADDITIONAL RESOURCES@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

CLICK TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PACPOLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEWhether it be Members of Congress or a President of the United States, when they seek toengage in meaningful conversation on issues pertaining to criminal justice or lawenforcement, they partner with the National Fraternal Order of Police. We are known andtrusted to fight for the interests of our members, which makes the FOP a vital ally on policingand criminal justice issues.The National Fraternal Order of Police Political Action Committee (NFOP PAC) needs yourhelp! Our PAC plays an important role in our advocacy program and allows the FOP tosupport candidates who support our members and our profession. Given the importance ofthe PAC, it is vital that our PAC is as well-funded as possible.WE ARE ASKING ALL FOP MEMBERS TO FIND A WAY TOCONTRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL FOP PACPlease consider supportingthe National FOP's 5-5-5 GIVEBACK PROGRAM For only $15 per month, yourhard-earned dollars will go towhere they are most effective. @GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

TIM RICHARDSONSenior Legislative Liaison MARK MCDONALDLegislative Liaison DAVID TABOHLegislative Liaison ASA RENDERLegislative Liaison WASHINGTON, D.C. STAFFJIM PASCOExecutive Director328 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE,WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002ADDRESS202-547-8189PHONEFAX: 202-547-8190FAXLEGISLATIVE@FOP.NETEMAILTHE STEVE YOUNG LAWENFORCEMENT LEGISLATIVEADVOCACY CENTERNATIONAL FOPLEGISLATIVE OFFICE@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE