Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) took to the Senate floor to speak in favor of legislation he recently introduced with Senator Corey A. Booker (D-NJ). The legislation, S. 3607, the “Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act,” would establish that officers who die from COVID-19 or a COVID-19 related illness are presumed to have done so in the line of duty and are eligible for the death benefit administered by the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. The Senate passed the legislation by voice vote last week and was sent to the House for further action. The National Legislative Office staff worked with the Senators’ offices on the draft legislation to establish this critical presumption. The FOP strongly supports this legislation. To watch Senator Grassley’s floor speech, please click here.
COVID-19 Activity Updates
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office of Senator 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 minority staff of the House Judiciary Committee about the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program and pending legislation.
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Brian Dorow, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE), regarding the White House’s Police Week briefing call as well as issues pertaining to law enforcement officers acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 tests.
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, FOP’s video memorial tribute to honor our fallen officers, the President’s meeting with FOP members during his trip to Pennsylvania, pending legislation, and the White House’s Police Week Briefing Call with America’s Law Enforcement.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson presented on behalf of the FOP at an informational webinar briefing for congressional staff entitled: “Supporting Public Safety’s Response to COVID-19.”
The National Legislative Office provided FOP members with information regarding which states have taken action to address the issue of establishing a presumption within their existing workman’s compensation programs that public safety officers who are exposed to or contract COVID-19 did so in the line of the duty. This map, see below, reflects those states that have taken executive and/or legislative actions, including when those actions are limited in scope.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office of Senator 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 offices of Senators Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC) and Dianne G. Feinstein (D-CA), Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Committee on the Judiciary regarding 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.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with staff in the office of Senators Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) and Corey A. Booker (D-NJ) with respect to S. 3607, the “Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act,” which would establish that officers who die from COVID-19 or a COVID-19 related illness are presumed to have done so in the line of duty and are eligible for the death benefit administered by the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson spoke with numerous offices in the House regarding the need to include the FOP’s top priority, H.R. 141/S. 521, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” in the next “Phase 4” legislation in response to the current pandemic. However, we are also actively seeking other potential vehicles to repeal these unfair provisions. To see for more information about how you can help build support for the Social Security Fairness Act, please click here.
Executive Director Jim Pasco spoke with Kevin B. O’Connor, Assistant to the General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, regarding a unified approach between the FOP and IAFF with pending coronavirus-related legislation.
