Tell These Congressional Judiciary Members to Protect Our Cops

A follow up from yesterday's post

After yesterday’s upsetting revelation that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan tabled the Protect & Serve Act (H.R. 743) in May, I was looking for answers. After making several phone calls that essentially went nowhere, I was finally able to speak at length with someone in-the-know about this bill.

As suspected, the bill was stalled, in part, for political reasons. If you know anything about how politics works (especially in D.C.), this should come as no surprise. Getting most bills passed is akin to running a marathon - and that’s without the posturing, pettiness, and game-playing that’s often involved.

The “official” reason for why this group of Republicans won’t support H.R. 743 is because of concerns about federal oversight. In an effort to promote this bill, let’s stick with the “official” reason.

If federal oversight is indeed the impetus for tabling H.R. 743, why is it that some of the same Committee members who won’t co-sponsor this bill -including Reps. Jim Jordan, Ken Buck, Ben Cline, and Kelly Armstrong- did co-sponsor HR 7278 Justice Act in the 116th Congress?

If passed, the Justice Act would have banned chokeholds, created a disciplinary record system of police malfeasance, and worked to hold officers accountable. Somehow it’s ok to use the federal government to “reform” policing nationwide, but unacceptable when it can potentially save police officer lives?

If you recall, this bill was introduced at a time when public tensions were high and pressure was on House Republicans to take action. Introducing legislation to appease an angry public -many of whom are moved by emotional images- is poor governance. Double standards don’t belong in our legislatures.

One of the walls of fallen heroes at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Will You Please Make This a Priority?

Please take time tomorrow or early next week to contact the following members of the House Judiciary Committee, especially if they represent your district. Ask why they haven’t signed on to co-sponsor the Protect & Serve Act (H.R. 743).

The following is a list of Judiciary Committee members who have yet to co-sponsor this critical bill. The bolded, italicized entries are of Committee members who have signed on as co-sponsors. If they’re your representative, please consider thanking them.

Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04)

Darrell Issa (CA-48)

Ken Buck (CO-04)

Matt Gaetz (FL-01)

Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Tom McClintock (CA-05)

Tom Tiffany (WI-07) is a co-sponsor.

Thomas Massie (KY-04)

Chip Roy (TX-21)

Dan Bishop (NC-08)

Victoria Spartz (IN-05)

Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) is a co-sponsor.

Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Ben Cline (VA-06)

Kelly Armstrong (ND-At large)

Lance Gooden (TX-05) is a co-sponsor.

Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02) is a co-sponsor.

Barry Moore (AL-02)

Troy Nehls (TX-22) is a co-sponsor.

Russell Fry (SC-07) is a co-sponsor.

Harriet Hageman (WY-At large)

Wesley Hunt (TX-38) is a co-sponsor.

Kevin Kiley (CA-03)

Laurel Lee (FL-15) is a co-sponsor.

Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) is a co-sponsor.

Talking Points

A few points to mention when speaking with, or writing to, your congressperson.

• The Protect & Serve Act is necessary to deter attacks -including premeditated ambush-style attacks- of police officers, which have continued to rise. Although most states have laws designed to punish these crimes, they vary in verbiage and are arbitrated randomly. This bill adds another layer of protection by giving federal prosecutors what they need to hold offenders accountable for these heinous acts.

• Although municipal and state police officers are subject to local laws, they are still representatives of the U.S. Constitution. Attacks on them are essentially attacks on one of our nation’s most sacred documents.

• If they have genuine concerns about federal overreach, mention that the Protect & Serve Act provides safeguards. Offenders would be subject to federal indictment and penalties only when there’s a federal link; or if a local agency doesn’t have jurisdiction or requests federal jurisdiction.

One of the reasons things don’t get accomplished in our political arena is because we, the people, have become complacent. We don’t show up in enough numbers when or where it counts. It’s not enough to vent to each other or on social media. We have to tell our elected officials what we expect of them.

So please, take a few moments to make a difference for our cops and for public safety. To summarize, here are some meaningful actions you can take right now.

1. If your congressperson sits on the Judiciary Committee and hasn’t co-sponsored the Protect & Serve Act (use the list above), make a call or write a letter.

2. Even if your congressperson doesn’t sit on the Judiciary Committee, urge co-sponsorship of the Protect & Serve Act. You can find a list of current co-sponsors here. You can also use FOP’s online form if short on time.

3. If your congressperson has already signed up as a co-sponsor, please consider thanking them. Aside from referencing the list above, you can find a list of current co-sponsors here.

Lastly, I want to reiterate that my priority is advocating for law enforcement, not to do the bidding of any political party. From where I sit, our public safety crisis is largely a result of reckless Democratic policies. The GOP response, however, has been underwhelming.

Please feel free to reach out with questions or comments on any of this.

Best.

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For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.