NAPO President Mick McHale and Executive Director Bill Johnson attended a lunch hosted by President Trump in the Rose Garden at the White House on Oct. 15 in honor of our nation’s law enforcement officers,
firefighters, and other first responders, and the sacrifices they make while serving our communities. President Trump announced that he had directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue the death penalty for anyone who deliberately murders a police officer or firefighter in the line of duty. This action builds on his January 2025 executive order directing the Attorney General to pursue federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty for cases involving the murder of state and local law enforcement officers. NAPO has long advocated for such a policy because anyone who kills or assaults an officer must know that serious punishment will follow.
On Oct. 13, 2026, the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) held listening sessions to learn about claimant and stakeholder experiences with the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program and the claims process. NAPO participated and submitted written comments to OJP reiterating our experiences and concerns. NAPO is calling for immediate action to:
- Expedite claims processing and provide clear, regular updates explaining delays and outstanding documentation.
- Establish procedures for incomplete claims, including seeking stakeholder assistance and subpoenas when agencies fail to provide required information.
- Publish clear disability eligibility standards, defining “gainful work.”
- Issue implementing regulations for the Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021, the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022, and the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025.
- Streamline benefits for September 11 responders and survivors already certified through the World Trade Center Health Program or September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
NAPO is working with Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and his staff to secure bipartisan support from the Senate Judiciary Committee for the Monitor Accountability Act (S. 4917 / H.R. 8365). The House passed the legislation and NAPO is working to advance it through the Senate before the end of the year. The legislation would establish clear standards for federal district courts when appointing monitors to oversee state and local government agencies. These include term limits for monitors, reasonable limits on monitoring fees, and a clear process for narrowing or terminating a monitorship when its objectives have been met.
NAPO continues to urge Senate leadership and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to prioritize the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act when the Senate returns after the November elections. The House passed H.R. 7386 on April 20 and the Authority’s current authorization is set to expire in February 2027. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) is expected to release revised bill text based on concerns raised by first responder organizations. H.R. 7386 would expand the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) authority over the FirstNet Board, potentially limiting the Board’s independence and increasing administrative burdens on FirstNet. NAPO shares these concerns and will continue advocating for FirstNet to retain the authority and flexibility to protect and expand the public safety network.
Register today for NAPO’s 39th Annual Police, Fire, EMS, & Municipal Employee Pension & Benefits Seminar, Feb. 7–9, 2027, at Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Topics include: Results and Effects of the Midterm Congressional Elections on Federal Policy; Effects of Mid-East Conflicts on Markets and Economic Uncertainty; Growing use of AI, Benefits and Risks; Mounting National Debt and Threats to the U.S. Credit Rating; Liability Pitfalls & Practical Advice for Fiduciaries; and “Outside the Box” Benefits as a Component of Recruitment & Retention.
Click here for complete details in the Oct. 16, 2026 Washington Report.
