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 | 1 3 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4L 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 - FOP AND ALLIED UNIONS RALLY FORSOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS! FOP AND ALLIED UNIONS RALLY FORSOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS! SENATE TO HOLD VOTES ON H.R. 82 NEXT WEEK!SENATE TO HOLD VOTES ON H.R. 82 NEXT WEEK!
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE @GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEJust one month ago, the U.S House of Representatives passed H.R. 82, the “Social Security FairnessAct,” on an overwhelming 327-75 vote—giving us a clear mandate to end the unfairness and injusticethat steals billions from hardworking public servants every year. Now it’s time for the Senate to act! National President Patrick Yoes joined Ed Kelly, the General President of the InternationalAssociation of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and other union leaders who represent public employees at a rallynear the U.S. Capitol to call for Senate action on the bill. Among the speakers was Senator Charles E.Schumer (D-NY), the Senate Majority Leader, who told the crowd that he would put H.R. 82 on thefloor for a vote! Senator Schumer used a procedural maneuver, called Rule XIV, to move the bill from committee andonto the Senate calendar. He then filed cloture on a motion to proceed to debate on the bill. Cloture isthe term for the parliamentary process to end debate on a bill and it requires 60 votes to pass. Thisvote will take place sometime early next week and if cloture is invoked, the Senate will hold an up-or-down vote on the bill. The FOP and IAFF sent a joint letter to every Member of the Senate, urging them to vote for clotureand then in favor of H.R. 82. We’re asking ALL FOP members to contact their Senators and tell then tovote in favor of cloture and for H.R. 82 as well. You can call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or visit this website to get the phone numberfor your Senators! Do it TODAY as we expect Congress to adjourn late next week. If you’re affected by the WEP/GPO and are tired of getting a monthly check that reduces a benefitYOU EARNED, then make those calls! We need ALL MEMBERS to reach out to their Senators and tellthem they must support a vote on the Senate floor for H.R. 82 and to VOTE YES on cloture and on the“Social Security Fairness Act” when it reaches the floor! This effort will not succeed without YOU!LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYSENATE TO HOLD VOTES ON SOCIAL SECURITYFAIRNESS ACT!LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITY
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEWe need YOU in D.C.! The First Session of the 119th Congress will begin next month, and FOPpriorities are poised for another year of dedicated action. We can say with great pride that we areone step closer to accomplishing our biggest top priority, passing the “Social Security FairnessAct.” We encourage you to continue reaching out to your Senators to voice your support.From Monday, 3 February, through Wednesday, 5 February, the nation’s oldest and largestorganization of law enforcement officers will be advocating on Capitol Hill. More specifically, wewill be highlighting the challenges and the needs of our memberships, including recognizing theright of public safety officers to collectively bargain in addition to protecting due process forofficers and firefighters. With the momentum we have seen with the Social Security Fairness Act,we are confident we will continue to see more progress on these top priorities.Our future success and our legislative agenda depend on our ability to motivate and mobilize ourgrassroots to make sure our message continues to be heard loud and clear. Participation in thisevent is just a part—but an important part—of the FOP’s advocacy strategy. We need our membersto build, strengthen, and sustain their relationships with their Representatives and Senators. DON’T DELAY - REGISTER TODAY!ROOM BLOCK The National FOP will be organizing a block of rooms at a special rate for these dates. Be sure toregister today by clicking the link below and check back for information.REGISTER HERE!LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYLEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITY
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEPresident-elect Donald J. Trump has quickly been rolling out announcements for his Cabinetand agency nominations. Those most germane to our membership are:Former Attorney General for the State of Florida Pamela J. Bondi to be the next U.S.Attorney General of the United States; South Dakota Governor Kristi L. Noem to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department ofHomeland Security; Former Prosecutor Kashyap Patel to be the next Director of the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation;U.S. Senator Marco A. Rubio to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of State;Peter B. Hegseth, former U.S. Army Guard officer and FOX News commentator, to the nextSecretary of the U.S. Department of Defense;North Dakota Governor Douglas J. Burgum to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Departmentof the Interior;Former U.S. Representative Douglas A. Collins to be the next Secretary of the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs;Former U.S. Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer to be the next Secretary of the U.S.Department of Labor;Businessman Howard W. Lutnick to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department ofCommerce;Former U.S. Representative Sean P. Duffy to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Departmentof Transportation;Former prosecutor Todd W. Blanche to be the next Deputy U.S. Attorney General; Former Solicitor General of Missouri D. John Sauer to be the next U.S. Solicitor General;andCurrent Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Brendan T. Carr to be the nextChairman of the FCC.The President-elect has also tapped former Acting Director of Immigration and CustomsEnforcement (ICE) Thomas D. Homan as the “border czar” for the incoming Administration.2024 TRANSITION UPDATE
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYLEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational President Patrick Yoes spoke at the Social Security Fairness Rally in UpperSenate Park alongside fellow labor unions in support of H.R. 82, the “Social SecurityFairness Act.” Also in attendance were Executive Director Jim Pasco, Senior LegislativeLiaison Tim Richardson, and Legislative Liaison David Taboh.National President Patrick Yoes attended the Axon AI Retreat in Park City, Utah. National President Patrick Yoes, National Second Vice President John Hoyt, and SeniorLegislative Liaison Tim Richardson met with Senator Ronald L. Wyden (D-OR), Chairmanof the Senate Committee on Finance, to discuss upcoming legislative action on H.R. 82,the “Social Security Fairness Act.”National President Patrick Yoes was in involved in numerous planning meetings with theInternational Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and other organizations for the SocialSecurity Fairness Rally. National President Patrick Yoes virtually attended the International Council of PoliceRepresentative Associations (ICPRA) Quarterly Board Meeting.National President Patrick Yoes held numerous meetings with FOP State Leadersregarding outreach to their Senators on H.R. 82. National President Patrick Yoes spoke with numerous media outlets. National President Patrick Yoes and Executive Director Jim Pasco attended the 2024holiday reception hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice. Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Heather J. Fong, Assistant Secretary for Stateand Local Law Enforcement and Senior Counselor to the Secretary for Law Enforcementat the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, about plans for next month’s inauguration.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYLEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYSenior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison David Tabohrepresented the FOP on several stakeholder calls with staff from the office of SenatorSherrod D. Brown (D-OH) regarding H.R. 82.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson met jointly with staff in the office of SenatorJohn R. Thune (R-SD), incoming Senate Majority Leader, along with legislative staff fromthe International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) regarding H.R. 82.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson met jointly with staff in the office of SenatorMichael D. Crapo (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Finance, alongwith legislative staff from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)regarding H.R. 82.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Laura Gormally metwith staff in the office of Senator John N. Kennedy (R-LA) to discuss H.R. 82 and theFOP’s priorities for the upcoming Congress.Executive Director Jim Pasco has numerous conversations with the Trump-Vancetransition team about developments in the Senate on H.R. 82.Executive Director Jim Pasco had numerous conversations with Congressional staff andthe media regarding H.R. 82.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Director of the Office ofCommunity Oriented Policing Services (COPS), about legislation reauthorizing the COPSOffice and its programs before the end of this Congress. Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Matthew B. Klapper, Chief of Staff to U.S.Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, about the participation of the U.S. Department ofJustice with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELISTEN & SUBSCRIBE WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODESTHE BLUE VIEW PODCASTLaw enforcement officers are ordinary people called to do extraordinary things attimes. They are human beings who are not immune to experiencing a range ofemotions due to the nature of this profession. On this episode of the Blue View, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down withNational FOP Chaplain Rick Snyder and Dr. Chris Holland to discuss how faith andresiliency can go hand-in-hand with a law enforcement officers overall wellness –especially at such a difficult and strenuous time for law enforcement. Dr. Chris Holland and Rick Snyder host the Remnant Revealed podcast, which helpsofficers and their families find biblically-based solutions to the challenges they facedaily.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe House considered and passed H.R. 5009, the “National Defense AuthorizationAct for Fiscal Year 2025,” on a 281-140 vote. The bill, which funds the military forthe next year, now awaits action in the Senate.THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESThe House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management andTechnology held a hearing entitled “Given the Green Light: Open Border Policies andThreats to Law Enforcement.”The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations helda hearing entitled “Desecrating Old Glory: Investigating How the Pro-HamasProtests Turned National Park Service Land into a Violet Disgrace." Among thosewho testified was Kenneth Spencer, Chairman of the United States Park Police,Fraternal Order of Police Labor Committee. The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, LawEnforcement, and Intelligence held a hearing entitled “Safeguarding the Homelandfrom Unmanned Aerial Systems.”The House passed H.R. 9769, the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act,” by unanimous consent, which would establish aninteragency task force tasked with handling Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE UNITED STATES SENATEThe Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing entitled“Oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police,” which included testimony from Chief of PoliceJ. Thomas Manger. The Senate considered and rejected Lauren M. McFerran to be a member of theNational Labor Relations Board on a 49-50 vote. Her current five year term ends on16 December.Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) invoked cloture on H.R. 82,which is set to be voted on sometime next week. The Senate passed H.R. 8663, the “DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act,” whichserves to support the detection of these drugs by law enforcement agencies, byunanimous consent. It now heads to the President’s desk. The Senate passed S.920, the “International Trafficking Victims ProtectionReauthorization Act” by unanimous consent. The Senate passed S.5060, the “PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act,” whichserves to combat child exploitation, by unanimous consent.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEUPCOMING EVENTS Labor Leadership Training February 11-12, 2025Las Vegas, NVInformation and Registration Legal Counselors SeminarFebruary 13-14, 2025Las Vegas, NVInformation and RegistrationOfficer Wellness SummitFebruary 17-18, 2025Nashville, TNSave the Date Wellness Professionals Forum February 16, 2025Nashville, TNSave the DateSpring State Presidents MeetingMarch 13, 2025Salt Lake City, UTInformation and RegistrationLeadership MattersFebruary 20-22, 2025Nashville, TNInformation and RegistrationSpring National Board MeetingMarch 14-15, 2025Salt Lake City, UTInformation and RegistrationDay on the Hill 2025February 3-5, 2025Washington DCSave the Date
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEFOP NEWSROOMNJ senator sees ‘multiple unexplained andunidentified’ drones during nighttime patrolSen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) shared frustrations with constituentsover apparent drones flying over the state during a Thursdaynight observation in Hunterdon County, where the activitywas reported.Senate begins final push to expand Social Securitybenefits for millions of peoplePatrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police,was among those who spoke at a rally on the U.S. Capitolgrounds to demand that the Senate vote on H.R. 82, the “SocialSecurity Fairness Act.”FOP, IAFF, AND OTHER PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS HOLDJOINT RALLY ON SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESSWray to resign as FBI director before Trump'sinaugurationFBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will resignfrom his post at the end of the current administration,leaving the bureau in advance of President-elect DonaldTrump's inauguration next month.Joint FOP-IAFF Letter urging the U.S. Senate to voteyes on H.R. 82, the "Social Security Fairness Act"National President Patrick Yoes and IAFF President EdKelly sent a letter to Senate Leadership urging them totake up and pass H.R. 82, the "Social Security FairnessAct."Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., saidThursday he would begin the process for a final vote on thebill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act, which wouldeliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payoutsfor roughly 2.8 million people.
SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACTTOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ EQUITY ACTCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTSH.R. 132288 COSPONSORSR: 23 D: 65H.R. 82330 COSPONSORSR: 120 D: 210S. 59762 COSPONSORSR: 13 D: 49@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEH.R. 354PROTECT AND SERVE ACTH.R. 743119 COSPONSORSR: 103 D: 1643 COSPONSORSR: 43 D: 0LEOSA REFORM ACTHELPER ACTH.R. 3170146 COSPONSORSR: 47 D: 99S. 151430 COSPONSORSR: 8 D: 22MORE RESOURCES BILLS SUPPORTEDS. 14629 COSPONSORSR: 9 D: 0H.R. 353968 COSPONSORSR: 15 D: 53NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATES. 16583 COSPONSORSR: 2 D: 1S. 425820 COSPONSORSR: 19D: 1
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEWATCHTHE BLUE VIEW PODCASTLISTENWATCHLISTEN
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 leadership toFederal, 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
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDONATE TO THENATIONAL FOP PACDONATE TO THENATIONAL FOP 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 PAC
TIM RICHARDSONSenior Legislative Liaison JIM PASCOExecutive Director@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELAURA GORMALLYLegislative Liaison DAVID TABOHLegislative Liaison BENJAMINSTOKESLegislative Liaison 328 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NE,WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002ADDRESS202-547-8189PHONEFAX: 202-547-8190FAXLEGISLATIVE@FOP.NETEMAILTHE STEVE YOUNG LAWENFORCEMENT LEGISLATIVEADVOCACY CENTERNATIONAL FOPLEGISLATIVE OFFICEWASHINGTON, D.C. STAFF