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Legislation Would Increase Penalties for Attacking Law Enforcement Officers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has renewed her support for legislation to increase penalties for criminals who attack law enforcement officers, federal judges, or other federal public safety officers.
Hyde-Smith is among 35 original cosponsors of the Back the Blue Act (S.3366), which was reintroduced by U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). Hyde-Smith has supported this and other pro-law enforcement legislation since becoming a U.S. Senator.
“The time is right for the Back the Blue Act, particularly as we witness more people expressing support for actively opposing and obstructing law enforcement actions,” Senator Hyde-Smith said. “On the whole, our communities are improved and made safer because of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line for us. They deserve better than being made subjects to be attacked.”
“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,” said Senator Cornyn. “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.”
Among other things, S.3366 would increase penalties for murdering or attempting to murder law enforcement, and create a new federal crime for killing or attempting to kill a federal judge, a federal law enforcement officer, or other federally funded public safety officer. The legislation also stipulates mandatory sentences, which some crimes are subject to the death penalty.
The Back the Blue Act would also provide law enforcement officers with expanded self-defense and Second Amendment rights.
Additional original cosponsors include U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn, (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark..), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).
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 the Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD all endorse S.3366.
A summary of provisions in the Back the Blue Act is available here.
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