As we wrap up another National Police Week paying homage to fallen law enforcement officers and embracing their loved ones, police-supporting legislative bills are being authored by various representatives in the U.S. Congress.
Each Congressional bill authored by various lawmakers is duly catalyzed by elected officials with keen eyes and motivated minds to Back the Blue, for obvious reasons splashed across TV and computer screens, chronicling the onslaught of violence against our beloved nation’s crime-fighters and stewards of service to others.
(Photo courtesy of Rep. John Rutherford.)
Many of us often only learn of bills being written by our local representatives in the House and Senate via email lists and/or social media accounts posting bulletins.
Avidly following law enforcement legislation from all corners is accomplished by subscribing to pro-police representatives and any co-sponsors inking law enforcement Acts to justly implore the incredible work done by men and women who have courageously chosen to pin a justice badge.
Nowadays, sadly, paring down police-supporting legislation is easier due to partisan politics, with one party essentially sitting on the anti-police side of the aisle.
Illustrating this is a bulletin I received this morning, from one of my representatives:
There you have it: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Bewildering that some would disagree with Rep. Buchanan’s premise to back the blue. I guess the social media moniker is true: “Haters gonna hate.”
As we can see, the despicable sentiments still emanating among certain lawmakers, even after their dastardly defund-the-police movement went up in smoke, they nonetheless continue to pour fuel on a fire they ignited, audaciously spending tax dollars on armed private security bodies to hide behind.
Rather ironic that an elected bunch dubbed “The Squad” adamantly seeks to quash real squads doing real representation on the real streets replete with really violent behaviors.
These and others of the same lot upturned their noses at the thought of honoring police officers slain in the line of duty, officially voting against the notion.
As the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) posted: “The blatant disrespect from two sitting members of Congress for the men and women, and their families, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities is disgusting.
“The continued inflammatory rhetoric towards law enforcement is a stain on our society and does nothing but harm their communities. If you can’t bring yourself to support fallen officers, then resign!”
Given that “stain,” let’s circle back to buffering the blue…
If you take a gander at Rep. Buchanan’s website and all he represents before Congress, uniforms stand out; first responders of all stripes are shouldered (police, fire, EMS, military). Thus, his Thin Blue Line Act is a blessing for badges, making Mr. Buchanan a stalwart supporter of our nation’s protectors.
Thin Blue Line Act
The Thin Blue Line Act (HR 99) was authored by Rep. Buchanan a few years ago, pinpointing more severe penalties for those who murder or attempt to murder a law enforcement officer as an “aggravating factor in death penalty determinations.”
He didn’t stop there. Key in the words “Thin Blue Line Act” on his official website and a litany of law enforcement-related measures supporting police officials will populate your screen. It goes way back, a sign of unrelenting championing for cops.
Another stalwart supporter of law enforcement is former Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff John Rutherford, who now serves constituents from a seat on Capitol Hill.
National Police Association spokesperson, retired Sgt. Betsy Branter-Smith, interviewed Rep. Rutherford a few weeks ago, making for a robust exchange of commentary regarding policing and necessary measures to restore deserved respect and dignity to first responders entrenched in our country’s frontline festers.
Looking at Rep. Rutherford’s website, another series of law enforcement-related legislative Acts is present, encompassed by the following statement:
“As a former sheriff with over 40 years of law enforcement experience, nothing is more important to me than the safety and security of our community. In Congress, I’m advocating for policies focused on keeping kids safe in school, families safe at home, and police safe while doing their important and dangerous job.”
(Photo courtesy of Representative John Rutherford.)
Among other congresspersons, Rep. Rutherford has his name upon the Protect and Serve Act of 2023 (HR 743), the bipartisan legislation advocating for “federal penalties for individuals who deliberately target law enforcement officers in the line of duty.”
Representing New York, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, a former NYPD detective, also has a string of legislative actions supporting law enforcement.
Recently, Rep. D’Esposito took to the podium in Congress and conveyed a no-holds-barred rebuke of anti-cop representatives who still uphold defund-the-police pushes, calling them “cowards” for not standing up for our nation’s LEOs.
On May 18, 2023, Rep. D’Esposito’s “Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights Passed in the House.”
Rep. D’Esposito said, “I am proud that my Law Enforcement Bill of Rights proposal was passed in the House of Representatives in a bipartisan fashion, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to similarly unite and approve the measure in their chamber.
“As a retired NYPD detective, I have seen firsthand the difficulties of policing, and this legislative package is a major step forward in providing law enforcement officers with greater safeguards as they work tirelessly to protect the public.”
Who are the representatives he referred to as “cowards”? We already know of some of “The Squad” who opted out of advocating for police; their hands are being held by others in that same anti-cop throng.
Mr. D’Esposito framed it this way: “While I am immensely proud my Law Enforcement Bill of Rights proposal passed in the House, I am deeply troubled that the vote was not unanimous, and that 146 Democrats went on the record opposing protections for brave police officers.
(Photo courtesy of Rep. Anthony D’Esposito.)
“Safeguarding law enforcement personnel should never be a partisan issue, and I will continue seeking allies from across the political spectrum as I work to see this proposal signed into law.”
In a New York Post article published on April 14, 2023, there is mention of Rep. D’Esposito’s campaign pledges in his quest for a capitol seat, primarily his condemnation of those behind the defund-the-police movement, naming the usual suspects perpetuating nonsensical soft-on-crime policies and bad governance.
We can be reassured that former LEOs and non-LEOs alike, election to political office as representatives of the people, are backing the blue and shining spotlights on dark forces that seek to forfeit public safety and defile those who perform the inherently perilous tasks of police work.
These are just a smattering of police-supporting legislative bills coursing through Congress, all favoring the steadfast work of cops navigating a depth of treacherous environments populated by some emboldened, armed individuals cold to those who serve and protect.