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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 M A R C H 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 - NEW REPORTNEW REPORT
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICENational President Patrick Yoes gave various 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.LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYNational President Patrick Yoes met with Dallas FOP Lodge #716 President JaimeCastro, and members of his board in Dallas, TX.Executive Director Jim Pasco attended a community safety and crime preventionroundtable at the White House, hosted by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Hestressed the inclusion of rank-and-file officers in state and local policing strategies.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Neera Tanden, Assistant to the Presidentand Domestic Policy Advisor, to discuss FOP positions and priorities.National President Patrick Yoes conducted a site review for the 2025 NationalConference with National FOP Secretary Jimmy Holderfield, Site Chairman ToddBramwell, and Florida State Lodge leadership in Miami, FL.National President Patrick Yoes met with Rick Smith and Mike Wagers, the ChiefExecutive Officer and Vice President of Axon, in Dallas to discuss legislationpending in the Texas legislature and emerging law enforcement technologies.President Castro and Phil Elliott, member of the Lodge’s Board of Directors, alsoparticipated in the meeting.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Steve K. Benjamin, Assistant to thePresident and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, regardingtop issues confronting rank-and-file law enforcement officers.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYSenior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Benjamin Stokesmet with staff in the office of Representative Glenn F. Ivey (D-MD) to discuss H.R.743, the “Protect and Serve Act,” H.R. 4958, the “Kenneth P. Thompson Begin AgainAct,” and other legislation of mutual interest.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson met with majority staff on the Committeeon Ways and Means to discuss draft legislation on issues related to health care forlaw enforcement officers. Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Benjamin Stokesmet with staff in the office of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) todiscuss FOP priorities for 2024. Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Heather J. Fong, Assistant Secretary forState and Local Law Enforcement and Senior Counselor to the Secretary for LawEnforcement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, about the internationalnarcotics smuggling crisis.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Hugh T. Clement’s, Jr., Director of theOffice of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the U.S. Department ofJustice (DOJ), to discuss the critical incident review of the police response at theRobb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde conducted by the DOJ. Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Kevin O’Connor, Special Assistant to theGeneral President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), to discussthe joint IAFF/FOP Social Security fairness rally on the Capitol grounds on 5 March.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEWe need YOU in D.C.! The Second Session of the 118th Congress has begun and FOP priorities,including the “Social Security Fairness Act,” are poised for action. For the first time, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of law enforcement officers will bejoining forces with the nation’s oldest and largest union of professional firefighters—theInternational Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Rank-and-file law enforcement officers and firefighters will come together in our Nation’s capitalto highlight the important issues facing our public safety organizations. We will be talking aboutthe challenges and the needs of our memberships including recognizing the right of public safetyofficers to collectively bargain, protecting due process for officers and firefighters, and repealingthe Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)! Click here to view the legislative briefing materials. Click here to view the Day on the Hill schedule.On Tuesday, 5 March from 11am-12pm the FOP-IAFF will hold a rally on the Capitol grounds to callon Congress for immediate action on H.R. 82/S. 597, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” to repealthe WEP and GPO.Our future success and our legislative agenda depend on our ability to motivate and mobilize ourgrassroots to make sure our message gets through—which will get increasingly more difficult aswe get closer and closer to the election. Participation in this event is just a part—but an importantpart—of the FOP’s advocacy strategy. We need our members to build, strengthen, and sustain theirrelationships with their Senators and Representatives. DON’T DELAY – REGISTER TODAY!LEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITY
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELISTEN & SUBSCRIBE WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODESTHE BLUE VIEW PODCASTOn the latest episode of the Blue View Podcast, National President Patrick Yoes isjoined by Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Senator Tillis has been a championfor local, State, and Federal law enforcement and has been a national leader inadvancing legislation to ensure they have the tools, resources, and support theyneed to protect the public and stay safe while in the line of duty.He has partnered with the FOP on several bills important to law enforcement;everything from Cybercrime metrics, reauthorization of the COPS Hiring Program,Scenario-Based Training, and legislation, initially developed by the FOP, onincreasing the availability of trauma kits. Notably, he was a key leader of twolegislative efforts of critical importance to law enforcement—the Public SafetyOfficer Support Act (PSOSA) and the Protect and Serve Act.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEThe House considered and passed H.R. 7463, the “Extension of ContinuingAppropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024,” on a 320-99 vote under a suspensionof the rules. The bill, a “laddered” continuing resolution, provides funding for theU.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Housingand Urban Development, and other Federal components through 8 March. Theremaining components of the Federal government—including the U.S. Departmentsof Justice and Homeland Security—are funded through 22 March. The legislation isto give Congress additional time to pass appropriations bills and was transmitted tothe Senate.THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEDONATE TO THENATIONAL FOP PACDONATE TO THENATIONAL FOP PACTHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE UNITED STATES SENATEThe U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled “Examining andPreventing the Deaths of Incarcerated Individuals in Federal Prisons.” Colette S.Peters, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Michael E. Horowitz. theInspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice, testified.The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justiceand Terrorism held a hearing entitled “The Nation’s Correctional Staffing Crisis:Assessing the Toll on Correctional Officers and Incarcerated Persons.”Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced he would be steppingdown from his party leadership role in November, but plans to finish his currentterm ending in 2027. Senator McConnell is the longest-serving party leader inhistory, having led the Senate Republican Conference since 2007.The Senate considered and passed H.R. 7463 on a 77-13 vote, sending themeasure to the President, who signed it into law.
SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACTTOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ EQUITY ACTCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTSH.R. 132277 COSPONSORSR: 19 D: 58H.R. 82308 COSPONSORSR: 105 D: 203S. 59750 COSPONSORSR: 8 D: 41@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEH.R. 354PROTECT AND SERVE ACTNOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATEH.R. 743102 COSPONSORSR: 88 D: 1436 COSPONSORSR: 36 D: 0LEOSA REFORM ACTHELPER ACTH.R. 3170112 COSPONSORSR: 36 D: 76S. 151417 COSPONSORSR: 5 D: 12MORE RESOURCES BILLS SUPPORTEDS. 14623 COSPONSORSR: 3 D: 0H.R. 353946 COSPONSORSR: 10 D: 36NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATES. 16581 COSPONSORSR: 1 D: 0
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEFOP NEWSROOMFOP Monthly Update: Officers Shot and Killed Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act(LEMHWA) ProgramThe COPS Office is pleased to announce that the following grantfunding opportunity is now open and accepting applications...READ MORE.H.R. 8142, the “Department of Defense LawEnforcement Credential Act” National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to the leadership ofthe House Armed Services Committee to ask them to develop astandardized identification credential for DoD civilian lawenforcement officers.The National Fraternal Order of Police reports that as of midnighton 29 February, there have been 63 officers shot in the line of dutyso far in 2024 (+7% from 2023 YTD; -6% from 2022 YTD). Of thoseofficers shot, 7 of them were killed (±0% from 2023 YTD; -30%from 2022 YTD). A small change in legislation would allow more Homeland SecurityInvestigations agents to investigate drug crimes without firstgetting the authority to do so from the Justice Department. DHS looking for increased authority to investigatedrug crimesFederal judge rules Calif. billy club banunconstitutionalU.S. District Judge Roger Benitez stated that the prohibition, whichhas an exemption for police officers and state-certified securityguards, “unconstitutionally infringes the Second Amendment rightsof American citizens”
@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
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's5-5-5 GIVEBACK PROGRAMFor only $15 per month, yourhard-earned dollars will go towhere they are most effective. @GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
TIM RICHARDSONSenior Legislative Liaison DAVID TABOHLegislative Liaison ASA RENDERLegislative Liaison JIM PASCOExecutive Director@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEBENJAMINSTOKESLegislative 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