U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) has joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and other Senate Republicans in introducing the Back the Blue Act. The legislation is intended to increase penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers and provide new protections for officers.
“Every day, the brave men and women of law enforcement work around the clock to keep our communities safe. Any criminal that puts a target on the backs of our police officers must be held firmly accountable for their actions to the fullest extent of the law,” said Senator Budd.
Senator Cornyn stated, “Our law enforcement officers bravely risk their lives daily to protect our communities, and anyone who targets them should be met with the full force of the law, including the death penalty. America was built on the principles of law and order, and this legislation sends a clear message that targeted attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated, dangerous criminals will be held accountable, and our men and women in blue have our full and unwavering support.”
The bill introduces several new federal crimes related to violence against federally funded public safety officials. Killing or attempting to kill such an official would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years if death results or at least 10 years otherwise, with eligibility for the death penalty. Assaulting these officers would result in escalating penalties depending on injury severity and weapon use, but prosecution requires certification by the Attorney General.
Additionally, fleeing across state lines to avoid prosecution for such crimes would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. The act also clarifies that murdering or attempting to murder a law enforcement officer is an aggravating factor in federal death penalty cases.
Other provisions limit federal court review of state convictions involving murders of public safety officers by imposing time constraints similar to procedures established in 1996 for federal death penalty cases. The act also restricts certain civil damages and attorney’s fees recoverable by individuals injured while committing felonies.
Furthermore, it expands self-defense rights for law enforcement by permitting them, under limited regulation, to carry firearms into federal facilities and jurisdictions where it is typically prohibited.
The Back the Blue Act has received endorsements from organizations including the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.
