Return to flip book view

FOP Update - 13 September 2024

Page 1

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 S E P T 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 - SOCIAL SECURITY DISCHARGE PETITION HITSHOUSE FLOOR

Page 2

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE @GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe House cosponsors of the “Social Security Fairness Act,” Representatives Garret N. Graves (R-LA) andAbigail D. Spanberger (D-VA) are united in an effort to use a House procedure known as a discharge petitionto force a vote on H.R. 82. Discharge Petition #16 went live this week, and as of this writing we currently have171 members signed on. A discharge petition is a legislative mechanism to move legislation directly to thefloor provided the petition—an actual document—is physically signed by 218 Members of the House. Last week, Representatives Graves and Spanberger sent out a Dear Colleague letter to all members whichreads, in part:“Despite the broad bipartisan support for H.R. 82, it has yet to be brought to the floor for a vote. To overcomethis legislative hurdle, we are leading a discharge petition on H. Res. 1410, a special rule that would bring H.R.82 directly to the floor for consideration. We believe that this action is necessary to ensure that this crucial billreceives the attention and debate it deserves before the end of the 118th Congress.The time to act is now. We urge you to join us in signing Discharge Petition #16. By signing the dischargepetition, you will help expedite the legislative process and demonstrate our collective resolve to address thispressing issue. Your signature will be a powerful statement of your commitment to fairness and equity forpublic servants who have dedicated their lives to serving their community. Together, we can bring H.R. 82 to thefloor and provide long-overdue relief to seniors who have been adversely affected by the WEP and the GPO.”This week, the FOP sent an additional letter to every Member of the House, urging them to sign the dischargepetition. We are asking that ALL FOP members write or call their Representatives in the House and ask themto sign the discharge petition. You can also use the Action Center to send them an email. In addition, all Stateand local lodges should send letters to their Representatives if they have not done so already.Act NOW and ask your Representative to sign Discharge Petition #16!!! We cannotafford to miss this opportunity to pass H.R. 82 the “Social Security Fairness Act”in the House.Social Security Fairness Act AlertLEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYLEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITY

Page 3

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYLEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational President Patrick Yoes and Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardsonparticipated in a virtual conference call with stakeholder groups on Monday night,hosted by Representatives Garret N. Graves (R-LA) and Abigail D. Spanberger (D-VA), to discuss the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) release of a score for H.R.82, the “Social Security Fairness Act.” The bill’s score showed that, unless theWindfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) arerepealed, retired public servants will lose $195.6 billion of the Social Securitybenefits they will earn in the next ten years. National President Patrick Yoes attended the Florida State Lodge Board Meeting inSt. Petersburg, FL National President Patrick Yoes gave numerous television and radio interviewsregarding the FOP’s endorsement of Donald J. Trump for President. National President Patrick Yoes, Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson, andLegislative Liaison David Taboh participated in a second virtual conference callwith stakeholder groups, hosted by Representative Graves and Spanberger, todiscuss progress on accumulating signatures for Discharge Petition #16. At thistime, we have 171 signatures on the petition that would send H.R. 82 to the Housefloor.Executive Director Jim Pasco remained in continuous communication withoperatives from the Donald J. Trump campaign. Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison David Tabohparticipated in the monthly Brown Bag meeting of criminal justice stakeholders.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke to various media outlets about next week’spending events.

Page 4

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELISTEN & SUBSCRIBE WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODESTHE BLUE VIEW PODCASTEquality and fairness are some of America’s most cherished ideals. In current SocialSecurity law, over 2.5 million retired first responders, teachers, and other governmentemployees are financially penalized by provisions of the law, the Windfall EliminationProvision and the Government Pension Offset, that slash their benefits solely becausethey spent part of their careers in jobs that don’t pay into Social Security. On thisepisode of the Blue View Podcast, National FOP President Patrick Yoes sits down withRepresentative Garret N. Graves (R-LA), who currently represents Louisiana’s 6thcongressional district. Representatives Graves and Abigail D. Spanberger (D-VA) are united in an effort to usea House procedure known as a discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 82, the“Social Security Fairness Act.” A discharge petition is a legislative mechanism to movelegislation directly to the floor provided the petition—an actual document–is physicallysigned by 218 Members of the House. Members can begin signing this petition on 10September—one day after the House returns to session.

Page 5

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDischarge Petition #16, which would force a vote on the “Social Security FairnessAct,” was filed in the House on 9 September 2024.The Speaker of the House, Representative J. Michael Johnson (R-LA) pulled H.R.9494 the “Continuing Appropriation and Other Matters Act,” from the House floorbecause of a lack of support in the Republican Conference. The bill is a continuingresolution what would fund the operations of the Federal government through 28March 2025. It also included the text of H.R. 8281, the “Safeguard American VoterEligibility Act,” which passed the House earlier this year. Speaker Johnson statedthat he would be working through the weekend to get the votes needed to pass thebill on the floor. The House Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled, “The Consequencesof Soft-On-Crime Policies.” THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Page 6

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe Senate Committee on the Budget held a hearing entitled, “Social SecurityForever: Delivering Benefits and Protecting Retirement Security.”The Senate passed S. Res. 810, “A resolution expressing support for thedesignation of the week of September 11 through September 17, 2024, as "PatriotWeek.”THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE UNITED STATES SENATE

Page 7

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEUPCOMING EVENTS National FOP Fall Board Meeting September 6-7, 2024Charlotte, NC RegistrationLodging National FOP Fall Presidents MeetingSeptember 5, 2024Charlotte, NC RegistrationLodging Collective BargainingOctober 22-24, 2024Las Vegas, NVInformation and RegistrationLabor SummitFebruary 11-12, 2025Las Vegas, NVSave the Date Legal Counselors SeminarFebruary 13-14, 2025Las Vegas, NVSave the Date Officer Wellness SummitFebruary 17-18, 2025Nashville, TNSave the Date Leadership MattersFebruary 19-22, 2025Nashville, TNSave the Date

Page 8

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEFOP NEWSROOMS. 4970, the “Female Officers Ballistic ProtectionAct.” National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Senators Ossoffand Cornyn in support of S. 4970, the “Female Officers BallisticProtection Act.” National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to all Members ofthe U.S. House of Representatives urging them to sign DischargePetition #16, which would bring H.R. 82, the “Social SecurityFairness Act,” to a vote on the floor of the House. Letter to Representatives on Discharge Petition#16White House to crack down on De Minimisshipments with Unsafe, Unfairly Traded ProductsThe plan will protect American consumers, workers, andbusinesses by addressing the significant increased abuse of thede minimis exemption, in particular China-founded e-commerceplatforms, and strengthening efforts to target and blockshipments that violate U.S. laws.FOP Calls on Representatives to Sign DischargePetition #16!Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police,is calling on all Members of the House to sign Discharge Petition#16 and send H.R. 82, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” to thefloor.FOP Endorses Trump Proposal on Overtime PayPatrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police,applauded a new proposal offered by former President Donald J.Trump from the campaign trail in Arizona that would eliminateFederal taxes on overtime pay

Page 9

SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACTTOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ EQUITY ACTCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTSH.R. 132288 COSPONSORSR: 23 D: 65H.R. 82327 COSPONSORSR: 117 D: 210S. 59762 COSPONSORSR: 13 D: 49@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEH.R. 354PROTECT AND SERVE ACTH.R. 743117 COSPONSORSR: 101 D: 1643 COSPONSORSR: 43 D: 0LEOSA REFORM ACTHELPER ACTH.R. 3170143 COSPONSORSR: 46 D: 97S. 151427 COSPONSORSR: 7 D: 20MORE RESOURCES BILLS SUPPORTEDS. 14628 COSPONSORSR: 8 D: 0H.R. 353966 COSPONSORSR: 13 D: 53NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATES. 16583 COSPONSORSR: 2 D: 1S. 425820 COSPONSORSR: 19D: 1

Page 10

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEWATCHTHE BLUE VIEW PODCASTLISTENWATCHLISTEN

Page 11

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

Page 12

@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

Page 13

@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

Page 14

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