The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with information, released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), regarding DHS’s recent activity in response to COVID-19. To view this information, please click here.
COVID-19 Activity Updates
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jack A. Rauch, Deputy Associate Director with the White House Office of Public Liaison, regarding the tragic incident in Minnesota and the ensuing events, the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jeffrey R. Favitta, Senior Law Enforcement Advisor to the Attorney General, regarding COVID-19’s impact on law enforcement, pending legislation, as well as the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Kevin B. O’Connor, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, regarding pending COVID-19-related legislation and the Next Generation 911 system.
National President Patrick Yoes released a statement regarding the House passing H.R. 6509, the Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act, and S. 2746, the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act. The FOP supports both of these bills. To view the statement, please click here.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Mark McDonald spoke with staff in the offices of Senators Roy D. Blunt (R-Miss.) and Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.) regarding COVID-19 and general issues that D.C. Lodge No. 1 members are having with the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).
National President Patrick Yoes sent a letter to Speaker Nancy P. Pelosi (D-CA) and Representative Kevin O. McCarthy (R-CA) in support of H.R. 6509, the Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act, and urged the House to pass it. The legislation would establish a presumption for death benefit claims and ensure that public safety officers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty are eligible for benefits should they become disabled from the novel coronavirus. To view President Yoes’ letter, please click here.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with majority and minority staff with the House Committee on the Judiciary about this week’s vote on H.R. 6509, the Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act.
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Jack A. Rauch, Deputy Associate Director with the White House Office of Public Liaison, regarding the administration’s actions to combat the coronavirus and Federal financial assistance for State and local governments.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the offices of Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT) about the need for legislation to amend the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act to suspend the qualification requirement for qualified retired law enforcement officers for the duration of the national emergency and a potential companion bill for H.R. 1156, the “LEOSA Reform Act.”
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office of Representative William J. Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) regarding changes to S. 1208, the “Protecting America’s First Responders Act,” which would amend the statutes governing the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.
The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with information, released by the office of Senator Chris A. Coons (D-DE), Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, regarding a bipartisan letter, penned by Senators Coons and Susan M. Collins (R-ME), to Senate leadership encouraging additional support for first responders in the next COVID-19 relief package. To read the letter and learn more about the priorities outlines, please click here.
