Peace Garden News

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing legislation to increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. The Back the Blue Act clarifies that the murder or attempted murder of a law enforcement officer or first responder is a statutory aggravating factor for purposes of the federal death penalty and expands the right of law enforcement officers to carry firearms into federal facilities and other jurisdictions while on-duty and off-duty.   

“We are grateful for law enforcement officers in North Dakota and across the country and remain committed to ensuring they have the necessary support, equipment, and training that they need to keep our communities safe. The Back the Blue Act will help officers better protect themselves and increase penalties on those that do them harm,” said Senator Hoeven.

“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to serve families across Texas,” said Senator Cornyn. “Violent criminals who target those who protect our communities should face swift and tough penalties, and the Back the Blue Act sends that clear message.”

In addition to Hoeven and Cornyn, the legislation is cosponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

This legislation is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) and the New York Police Department Sergeants Benevolent Association. 

Original source can be found here.