In an Oct. 11 meeting with Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA) and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), the sponsors of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, they stated their intention of calling the bill up for a vote as soon as Congress returns on Nov. 12. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) then has two days to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. This gives us three weeks to shore up support of the 329 cosponsors of the bill to ensure we can count on their vote when it comes to the floor. NAPO urges members to join in reinforcing the support of the 329 cosponsors of H.R. 82 and the 218 Representatives who signed the discharge petition to ensure we have the votes to pass the bill in the House. Please reach out to your Congressional Representative(s) who are cosponsors by using this link for a searchable list of cosponsors of H.R. 82 by state. Each name is linked to the website and contact information.
Chinese manufactured fibers, which are less expensive and are not subject to the same quality control standards as U.S. made fibers, are increasingly being used to produce ballistic-resistant fabrics like those used in body armor. The performance of a ballistic-resistant vest or hard armor rifle plate is dependent on the strength and quality of the fibers. While, thankfully, there have not been any recorded cases of a bulletproof vest made with Chinese fibers failing, we need to ensure the body armor our nation’s law enforcement agencies are purchasing is made with the highest quality materials. NAPO’s concerns are based on experience with foreign-manufactured fibers failing officers. Between 2001-2005, there were now substantiated allegations that Zylon®-based body armor, manufactured by the Japanese company Toyobo, degraded quickly in normal heat and humidity, and that rendered bulletproof vests containing Zylon® unfit for use.
In October, NAPO has been meeting with staff to push our priorities for the post-Election lame duck session and to set up possible legislation for next year. We met with staff of Congressman John Rutherford (R-FL), the chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, staff of Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), staff of House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA), Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA) and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). In our meeting with Congressman Rutherford’s staff, we highlighted our priorities for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), discussed the future of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, and reviewed the alarming GAO Report on transparency and accountability within the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program. Our NDAA priorities are maintaining the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act, which was included in the House-passed bill, and the Law Enforcement and Victim Support Act that was included in the Senate version of the bill. NAPO also continues to push for the inclusion of the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act, which would cover carcinogen-related cancers under PSOB.
In our meeting with Senator Grassley’s staff, we discussed in detail the GAO Report. Senator Grassley was the lead sponsor of three bills NAPO worked to enact to improve transparency and accountability within the PSOB program: Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2017, Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020, and Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021. It is incredibly frustrating that these efforts are being ignored or thwarted by PSOB. The Program was designed to offer peace of mind to the men and women who chose to serve in public safety and to make a strong statement about the value American society places on the contributions of those who risk their lives to serve their communities. PSOB is not living up to that purpose and we believe something must be done.
We are also looking at a potential disaster supplemental appropriations bill as a possible vehicle for the Honoring Fallen Heroes Act. As first responders continue their rescue and recovery efforts in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, they are being exposed to an untold number of carcinogens that have leached into the flood waters. We cannot leave them behind as we look to make whole the victims of these natural disasters. Our first responders deserve to know that if they develop a carcinogen-related cancer due to the performance of their duties, their families will be taken care of.
Please take the time to nominate examples of outstanding police work for NAPO’s TOP COPS Awards. NAPO counts on members to help get the word about TOP COPS out and obtain nominations for officers nationwide. The nomination form is attached and can be found on our website, and it must be postmarked or faxed to (703) 684-0515 by Jan. 10, 2025.
Please click here for more details on these and other legislative issues in the Oct. 18, 2024 Washington Report.