The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives recently passed dual legislation authored by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) that expresses strong support for America’s law enforcement professionals, and “calls for increased measures to be taken to maximize the safety and well-being of officers,” Citizens Behind the Badge reports.
The Senate resolution (S.Con.Res. 15) declares that “Congress highly respects and values United States law enforcement professionals and greatly appreciates all that those officers do to protect and serve our communities.” It also acknowledges the sacrifices that have been made in the name of public safety, stating that Congress “remembers and honors those officers and their families who have experienced a death or injury in the line of duty.”
The legislation was introduced by Sen. Cassidy on June 18 and was passed by the Senate on the same day by unanimous consent. Joining Sen. Cassidy as original cosponsors of the measure were senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Jim Justice (R-WV), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM). U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS), a former sheriff, introduced a companion resolution (H.Con.Res. 31) in the U.S. House of Representatives and got a similar measure approved.
Citizens Behind the Badge partnered with Sen. Cassidy and Rep. Ezell in drafting the resolution and provided many of the facts and figures contained in the legislation. “Our officers have been devastated these last few years by budget cuts, anti-police rhetoric and increasing threats to their safety,” said Citizens Behind the Badge founder and president Craig W. Floyd. “They needed and deserved to hear a loud and clear message from our political leaders that they are highly respected and that their service and sacrifice is deeply appreciated. Thanks to the leadership provided by Sen. Cassidy and Rep. Ezell, Congress has now delivered that message,” he added.
Floyd had particular praise for a provision in the resolution that “calls on all levels of government to ensure that law enforcement professionals receive the support and resources needed to keep the United States safe.”
“Over the past few years hundreds of millions of dollars were cut from police budgets, resulting in fewer officers and a dangerous rise in crime. Thankfully, the pendulum appears to be swinging back in a more positive direction for law enforcement and this call for more public safety resources will help,” Floyd said.
The resolution lauds law enforcement’s record of service and sacrifice and contains a number of notable facts and figures, including: more than 800,000 law enforcement officers “risk their lives daily” serving and protecting our nation; “innovative and dedicated efforts” by officers have lowered crime rates from the historic highs in the 1990s; over the past three years, 1,055 officers have been shot (172 fatally); more than 2,500 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty during the past decade; and there are now more than 24,000 names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, dating back to the first death in 1786.
In introducing the resolution, Sen. Cassidy stated, “As hostility toward police officers grows, threats to their safety increase. We must support those who risk their lives daily to protect our communities.”
Rep. Ezell said, “This resolution is about showing our law enforcement professionals that Congress stands with them, not just in words, but through meaningful support. We honor their service, we mourn those we’ve lost, and we commit to making sure every officer has what they need to do their job safely and effectively.”
In addition to Citizens Behind the Badge, a number of other organizations supported the legislation, including: the Fraternal Order of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, and the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police.
A full text of S.Con.Res. 15 can be viewed at https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/15/text?s=1&r=5&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.CON.RES.+15%22%7D
About Citizens Behind the Badge
Established in 2020, Citizens Behind the Badge is a national nonprofit organization based in McLean, Virginia. Its mission is to mobilize and amplify citizen support to ensure that law enforcement receives the resources and respect needed and deserved to keep America safe. The organization’s founder and president is Craig W. Floyd, who led the effort to build both the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the National Law Enforcement Museum. For more information go to: www.BehindBadge.org or email info@behindbadge.org.
