Washington Watch: Legislative Update

For the Week of 7 May 2018

I.    Legislative News and Activity  

II.    This Week in Congress

III.    Update on Top Legislative Priorities

IV.    FOP News: H.R. 5698, the “Protect and Serve Act,” a win for the FOP!

V.    FOP News: Protect and Serve Act Passes House Committee!!

VI.    Free training webinar for law enforcement professional.

VII.    Support the National FOP PAC

VIII.    Follow the FOP on Twitter! 

 

I.    LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY

Senior Advisor to the National President Jim Pasco:

  • Spoke with Steven H. Cook, Associate Deputy Attorney General, regarding National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service;
  • Met with John H. Hill, Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Partnership and Engagement, regarding communication issues;
  • Spoke with various Senate staff regarding pending prison reform legislation;
  • Met with various White House staff regarding the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service;
  • Participated in, with the FOP National Legislative Office, a security and scheduling walkthrough of the National Peace Officers’ Memorial which will be Tuesday 15 May.

Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Mike Martin had numerous phone calls with staff from both the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary regarding H.R. 5698, the “Protect and Serve Act.”

Legislative Liaison Martin met with staff in the offices of Representatives David P. Joyce (R-OH) and Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) to discuss the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson:

  • Spoke with officials at the U.S. Department of Labor regarding Secretary R.  Alexander Acosta’s participation in the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service;
  • Represented the FOP on a conference call with law enforcement stakeholder groups regarding H.R. 5682, the Formerly Incarcerated Re-enter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person (FIRST STEP) Act.”

Legislative Liaison Scott Marks attended a luncheon with the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition regarding pending corporate transparency legislation.

 

II.  THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS

Action in the HouseThe House considered and passed H.R. 2152, the “Citizens Right to Know Act” on a 221-197 vote.

Action in House CommitteesThe Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled: Challenges and Solutions in the Opioid Abuse Crisis;

The Committee on the Judiciary favorably reported H.R. 5698, the “Protect and Serve Act,” on a unanimous voice vote. This legislation is a priority for the FOP, see press release for more details;

The Committee on the Judiciary considered and passed H.R. 5682, the “FIRST STEP Act” on a 25-5 vote.

Action in Senate CommitteesThe Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing regarding law enforcement grant programs at the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, coordination with other Federal, State and local law enforcement, and the affects on rural communities.

 

III.    UPDATE ON TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIESFor the complete list of cosponsors for all of our top legislative priorities, or to find out if your Representative and Senators are cosponsors of specific bills, check out https://www.congress.gov/

A.  Support H.R. 1205/S. 915, the “Social Security Fairness Act”

We have 180 cosponsors on H.R. 1205.One additional lawmaker has co-sponsored this legislation bringing our total to 24.

B.  Support the H.R. 964/S. 424, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act”

We have 38 cosponsors on H.R. 964.We have 6 cosponsors on S. 424.

C. Support H.R. 4846, the “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act”

One additional lawmaker has co-sponsored this legislation bringing our total to 39.

 

IV.   FOP News: the, “Protect and Serve Act” is introduced, a win for the FOP!

 

V.   FOP News: Protect and Serve Act Passes House Committee!!

 

 

VI. Free training webinar for law enforcement professionals.Free training webinar for law enforcement professionals on the unique challenges of combating human trafficking in tribal communities: click here

 

VII. Support the National FOP PAC

It is crucial to our political agenda we keep our PAC competitive with other organizations.If you want more information on the PAC or want to sign up for a $5.00 monthly recurring contribution, please email  or call (202)547-8189.

 

VIII.  Follow the FOP on Twitter!Sign up today for the latest news from Capitol Hill:  https://twitter.com/GLFOP