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 | 7 J U N E 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 -
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYLEGISLATIVE NEWS & ACTIVITYExecutive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Director of theOffice of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), about the bill reauthorizingthe COPS Office.Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with representatives of both the Biden-Harrisand Trump campaigns about the FOP’s presidential endorsement process—conversations which will be ongoing throughout the summer as this process movesforward.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the offices ofSenators Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), and Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC), Chairman andRanking Member, respectively, of the Committee on the Judiciary about S. 1306, the“COPS Reauthorization Act.”Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson met with staff in the office of SenatorJoseph Manchin III (I-WV) to discuss S. 597, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” S.1462, the “LEOSA Reform Act,” S. 4258, the “Protect and Serve Act,” and other FOPpriorities.Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the offices of SenatorChristopher A. Coons (D-DE) to discuss S. 597, the “Social Security Fairness Act.”
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICELISTEN & SUBSCRIBE WATCH PREVIOUS EPISODESTHE BLUE VIEW PODCASTThis past March, the Fraternal Order of Police once again joined forces with thenation’s oldest and largest union of professional firefighters, the InternationalAssociation of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Rank-and-file law enforcement officers and firefighters traveled together to ourNation’s capital to highlight the important issues facing our public safetyorganizations. They shared with Congress the challenges of public safetyofficers, including the right of public safety officers to collectively bargain,protecting due process for officers and firefighters, and repealing the WindfallElimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)!On this episode of the Blue View Podcast, National FOP President Patrick Yoessits down with IAFF General President Ed Kelly to discuss the two organizationsand their shared fight for fairness.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESThe House Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled “Oversight of theU.S. Department of Justice,” which included testimony from Attorney GeneralMerrick Garland. The House passed H.R. 8580, the “Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, andRelated Agencies Appropriations Act,” on a 209-197 vote. The bill includes over $380billion for defense department construction programs and the Department ofVeterans Affairs. This bill is the first of 12 Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills thatthe House intends to pass before the August recess. The legislation includes oneamendment that prohibits the VA from submitting a veteran’s name to the NationalInstant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) based on the Department’sappointment of a fiduciary and a second amendment ends a directive that preventsVA staff from recommending medical marijuana in States where it is legal. PresidentJoseph R. Biden, Jr. has threatened to veto this legislation should it reach his desk. The House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations advanced by voice vote a draft bill containing $93.8 billion in total discretionaryappropriations for the Department of Homeland Security in Fiscal Year 2025.The House Subcommittee on Financial Services Appropriations agreed by voicevote to advance a Fiscal Year 2025 spending bill that contains language that wouldblock regulators from penalizing banks serving State-legalized cannabiscompanies. This is similar to H.R. 2891/S. 2860, the “Secure and Fair EnforcementRegulation (SAFER) Banking Act.”
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICETHIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE UNITED STATES SENATEThe Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions,and Family Policy held a field hearing in Columbus, Ohio entitled, “Keeping thePromise of Social Security for Ohio’s First Responders and Public Servants.” Thehearing included testimony from Brian Steel, President of Capital City FOP Lodge#9 in Columbus, OH.Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, andseven other Members of that committee sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons,urging them to request a special pay rate for critical employees to help addresssevere staffing shortages in BOP facilities. The FOP has addressed this issue inseveral previous letters over the years on increasing locality pay and spotlightingthe negative impact on officer morale and safety at specific facilities.
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEPresident Biden announced several executive actions to address border securityand immigration. These actions allow the Federal government to temporarily shutdown the border and prevent asylum claims at a particular port of entry when theaverage number of daily encounters tops 2,500. This announcement wasaccompanied by an interim final rule issued by the U.S. Departments of Justice andHomeland Security that restricts asylum claims for non-citizens. This rule will allowimmigration officials the ability to quickly remove individuals they encounter.THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTONTHE EXECUTIVE OFFICE
@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
@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEFOP NEWSROOMS. 4255, the “Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act.”National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Senators Sinemaand Hagerty in support of S. 4255, the “Law EnforcementInnovate to De-Escalate Act.”Statement of DHS on Executive Action toStrengthen Border SecuritySecretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issuedthe following statement on President Biden’s Proclamation tosuspend and limit entry of individuals at the southern border andthe accompanying joint regulation of the Departments ofHomeland Security and JusticeThe National Fraternal Order of Police regrets to report that as ofmidnight on 31 May, there have been 164 officers shot in the lineof duty so far in 2024 (-0.6% from 2023 YTD; +16% from 2022YTD). Of those officers shot, 22 of them were killed (+5% from2023 YTD; +5% from 2022 YTD).FOP Monthly Update: Officers Shot and KilledSenate Subcommittee Social Security Hearing Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police,expressed his gratitude that the Senate Finance Committee’sSubcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policywill be holding a field hearing tomorrow in Columbus, Ohioentitled, “Keeping the Promise of Social Security for Ohio’s FirstResponders and Public Servants.”H.R. 8420, the "Filling Public Safety VacanciesAct."National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to RepresentativesCarbajal and Bacon in support of H.R. 8420, the "Filling PublicSafety Vacancies Act."
SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACTTOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ EQUITY ACTCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTSH.R. 132286 COSPONSORSR: 22 D: 64H.R. 82322 COSPONSORSR: 112 D: 210S. 59756 COSPONSORSR: 10 D: 46@GLFOP @FOPNATIONALNATIONAL FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICEH.R. 354PROTECT AND SERVE ACTH.R. 743116 COSPONSORSR: 100 D: 1643 COSPONSORSR: 43 D: 0LEOSA REFORM ACTHELPER ACTH.R. 3170138 COSPONSORSR: 44 D: 94S. 151424 COSPONSORSR: 6 D: 18MORE RESOURCES BILLS SUPPORTEDS. 14625 COSPONSORSR: 5 D: 0H.R. 353959 COSPONSORSR: 11 D: 48NOT YET INTRODUCED IN THE SENATES. 16583 COSPONSORSR: 2 D: 1S. 425815 COSPONSORSR: 15D: 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 DAVID TABOHLegislative 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