U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on May 11 joined almost 40 other Republicans in unveiling legislation that would ensure swift and tough penalties for violent criminals who target America’s law enforcement officers.
“Our law enforcement risk their lives to keep our communities safe. They deserve our support,” Sen. Cassidy said. “The Back the Blue Act protects those keeping us safe by deterring criminals who target police.”
The Back the Blue Act, S. 1569, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), has 38 GOP original cosponsors, including Sen. Cassidy and U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Thune (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Todd Young (R-IN), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
If enacted, S. 1569 would create a new federal crime for killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Cassidy’s office. The offender would be subject to the death penalty and a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years if the crime results in death.
Additionally, the bill would create a new federal crime for assaulting a federally funded law enforcement officer with escalating penalties, including mandatory minimums, based on the extent of any injury and the use of a dangerous weapon, though no prosecution would commence absent certification by the Attorney General that prosecution is appropriate, the summary says.
The legislation also would create a new federal crime for interstate flight from justice to avoid prosecution for killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer and the offender would be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, according to the summary.
Among several other provisions, the measure would clarify that 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, and would allow law enforcement officers, subject to limited regulation, to carry firearms into federal facilities and other jurisdictions where such possession is otherwise prohibited.
The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.