BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and 38 Republican colleagues in reintroducing the Back the Blue Act. This legislation would increase penalties for criminals who intentionally target law enforcement officers and provide new resources for officers to protect themselves.

“Liberal ‘Defund the Police’ policies have left too many law enforcement officers on the receiving end of deliberate, targeted violence while they risk their own safety to protect our communities,” said Senator Cramer. “This must be met with strict penalties to deter this senseless violence.”

“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.”

Supporting stakeholders include 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.

Joining Senators Cramer and Cornyn are Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mike Braun (R-MO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Katie Britt (R-AL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), James Lankford (R-OK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Thune (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ted Budd (R-NC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Todd Young (R-IN), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

Click here for bill text.

 Background:

Specifically, the Back the Blue Act would:

  • Establish a federal crime for killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer
  • Clarify 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
  • Impose time limits and substantive limits on federal courts’ reviews of challenges to state court convictions for crimes involving the murder of a public safety officer engaged in the performance of official duties or on account of the performance of official duties
  • Allow law enforcement officers, subject to limited regulation, to carry firearms into federal facilities and other jurisdictions where such possession is otherwise prohibited