Legislation Aims to Benefit Law Enforcement as Nation Recognizes National Police Week
Legislation designed to benefit law enforcement has been introduced on Capitol Hill as the nation marks National Police Week. The event runs from May 15 to May 21 and “offers honor, remembrance, and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors, and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.”
The legislation introduced ranges from fighting drug trafficking to helping first responders buy a home.
“We cannot begin to repay the debt we owe these officers and all of these families. But we can work to protect more officers and the communities they swear an oath to serve,” said Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in a speech honoring law enforcement on the senate floor.
POWER Act
Members of Congress are seeking to assist law enforcement in fighting fentanyl trafficking with the Providing Officers with Electronic Resources (POWER) Act.
The legislation would create a grant program in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help state and local law enforcement agencies obtain high-tech screening devices that are used to identify drugs like fentanyl.
The devices use laser technology to analyze potentially harmful substances through packaging and other coverings. Federal law enforcement use the technology at ports of entry currently.
Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Representative David Joyce (R-OH), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Senator Brown (D-OH) introduced the bill.
“By making sure law enforcement officers have the resources and training they need, we can quickly identify when fentanyl enters an area, warn our neighbors, and build a response plan. Additionally, we can protect the lives of the men and women who keep our communities safe every day,” said Rep. Spanberger.
The devices secured through the legislation will also help address the backlog of drugs awaiting lab identification.
Invest to Protect Act
The bipartisan Invest to Protect Act makes targeted investments in small and midsize police departments with fewer than 200 sworn officers. The investments can be used for recruitment, retention, mental health support, and training, including safety, domestic violence response, and de-escalation training.
The legislation is led in the House by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Representative John Rutherford (R-FL), Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV), and Representative Anthony D’Esposito (D-NY).
Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act
The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act would allow current federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase a retired service weapon at market value from a federal agency.
It’s sponsored by Representative Russell Fry (R-SC).
“Taxpayers are paying for these weapons twice — when they go into circulation and when they are retired,” said Representative Fry. “Not only does this have the potential to save millions of dollars in waste, but it would offset the cost of purchasing new weapons and fund other agency expenses.”
HELPER Act
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill to help first responders and teachers buy homes in their communities which they serve, which is especially important in pricey areas.
The Homes for Every Local Protector Educator and Responder (HELPER) Act is sponsored by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).
The bill would create a first-time homebuyer loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for first responders and teachers who have been on the job for at least four years.
It offers terms like no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and seller assistance.
"As already high housing prices continue to rise, the HELPER Act would ensure that our teachers and first responders can own a home in the communities they dutifully serve,” said Senator Rubio.