NAPO submitted written comments about the Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration’s proposed rule “Improving Transparency into Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fee Disclosure”. The rule stems from President Trump’s Executive Orders “Making America Healthy Again by Empowering Patients with Clear, Accurate, and Actionable Healthcare Pricing Information” and “Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First” that focus on increasing transparency and lowering drug prices. The proposed transparency rule reflects NAPO’s feedback to the Administration about improving group health plan fiduciary transparency into the direct and indirect compensation received by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). While this rule is a significant step in the right direction, NAPO encourages expansion of the proposal by requiring transparency across the entire group health plan, not just the pharmaceutical portion.
In a win for NAPO, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, S. 545, advancing it to the full Senate. On March 16, NAPO sent a letter to the Committee urging them to quickly approve the bill as Xylazine, a common pharmaceutical drug used for sedation and anesthesia in horses and cows, is increasingly contributing to the opioid crisis.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee amended and approved the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7386), which would reauthorize the FirstNet Authority. While NAPO appreciates the step in the right direction, the amended bill does not fully address our concerns. McClellan’s amendment would allow FirstNet to determine its own strategic priorities and budget and deploy emergency resources without NTIA approval. While important, this increases NTIA’s authority over the FirstNet Board, limiting its independence. NAPO supports a portion of the amendment expanding FirstNet Authority Board to ensure active-duty public safety professionals have a stronger voice and representation.
President Trump released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 on April 3 while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains shut down and is still not fully funded for fiscal year 2026. The budget proposal includes funding requests for NAPO’s priority grant programs within the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security (DOJ, DHS). It also reiterates the Administration’s proposal to merge the COPS Program into the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), which oversees the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Byrne-JAG, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program, the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), and the PSOB Office, and other vital law enforcement assistance programs. It would integrate the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), the Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ), and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program into OJP. The purpose is to consolidate all of DOJ’s state and local law enforcement assistance programs and bureaus under one office, to be renamed the Bureau of Justice Grants. NAPO has opposed this consolidation since it was first proposed in 2025, especially the merger of COPS and HIDTA into OJP, attempting to work with the Administration to maintain program independence. Working with Congressional appropriators and staff, NAPO secured language in the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) spending measure directing the DOJ to maintain the COPS Office as “a distinct organizational grantmaking entity within the Department”. Despite this language, the Administration seems intent on the merger. In response, NAPO will again work with Congressional appropriators to implement stronger language to ensure COPS and HIDTA remain independent.
NAPO met with House and Senate Judiciary Committees regarding our National Police Week priority legislation to protect officers, enhance recruitment and retention efforts, and improve resources for officer mental health and wellness. There are two bills being considered to enhance officer mental health and wellness programs. The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act would expand reporting requirements to increase our understanding of circumstances precipitating and involving ambush-style officer attacks. The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act would direct the DOJ to develop treatment programs for police, fire, emergency medical and 911 personnel who suffer from PTSD or acute stress disorders. Other priorities include: The LEOSA Reform Act, which would ensure the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is more fairly and broadly implemented; and the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program Expansion Act, which would make vital changes to the PSOB Program to increase transparency and accountability.
Register by May 1st to join NAPO during our Annual Lobby Day & Legislative Luncheon on Capitol Hill on May 14. Prior to lobbying Capitol Hill, plan to attend NAPO’s Legislative Breakfast for an update on NAPO’s legislative priorities, results to date from the 119th Congress, and for handouts to use during your Hill visits. For assistance setting up your Capitol Hill meetings, contact NAPO’s Director of Government Affairs, Andy Edmiston, no later than May 1 at aedmiston@napo.org or (703) 549-0775.
For more on these and other legislative issues, click here for the April 10, 2026 Washington Report.
