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Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Back the Blue Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and 35 Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Back the Blue Act. This legislation would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves.

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Law enforcement officers dutifully and heroically protect our communities across Texas and across the country. We cannot and should not tolerate criminals who kill or attempt to kill law enforcement officers. They should face the full force of the law. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of the Back the Blue Act, and I urge Congress to pass this bill without delay.”

Sen. Cornyn said, “Our law enforcement officers bravely risk their lives daily to protect our communities, and anyone who targets them should be met with the full force of the law, including the death penalty. America was built on the principles of law and order, and this legislation sends a clear message that targeted attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated, dangerous criminals will be held accountable, and our men and women in blue have our full and unwavering support.”

This legislation was cosponsored by Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn, (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va,), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).

This legislation is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), and the Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Back the Blue Act would:

  • Strengthen existing laws to protect police officers

  • Create a specific aggravating factor for federal death penalty prosecutions

  • Limits federal habeas relief for murders of law enforcement officers

  • Limits recovery of certain damages and fees for individuals engaged in felonies

  • Expands self-defense and second amendment rights for law enforcement officers

Cruz introduced the Back the Blue Act alongside Sen. Cornyn in 2023 and 2016.

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