2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Justice Department To Submit
Reports On Attacks On Law Enforcement Officers To The Judiciary
Committees. In May 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would require the Justice
Department, within 270 days of the bill's enactment, to submit to the
congressional judiciary committees reports regarding attacks on law
enforcement officers, including on: the number of offenders who
intentionally target law enforcement officers because of their status as
officers and recommendations for improving state, local and federal
responses to ambushes and violent attacks on officers; the ability to
implement a new category in the Uniform Crime Reporting program and the
National Incident-Based Reporting System on aggressive actions, conduct
or other trauma-inducing incidents against officers that are not
reported in such systems; the types, frequency and severity of mental
health and stress-related responses of officers to aggressive actions or
other trauma-inducing incidents against officers as well as mental
health and stress-related resources or programs for federal, state and
local officers." The House passed the bill by a vote of 356 to 55.
[House Vote 203,
5/15/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/15/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7581]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Specify The Rights Of Local Police Officers
Who Have Been Accused Of Misconduct, Including A Right To Self-Defense,
A Right To Legal Recourse, A Right To Have Legal Representation, A Right
To Be Informed Of The Nature Of The Investigation, A Right Not Be
Threatened With Charges During Questioning, A Right To Respond To
Adverse Accusations, And A Right To Not Be Disciplined For Exercising
Their Right To Remain Silent. In May 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to a concurrent resolution
that would "expand the resolution's preamble to state that local law
enforcement officers who have been accused of misconduct should have
certain rights in the course of investigations, including an inherent
right to self-defense against physical threats; a right to legal
recourse if a civilian attempts to assault them; a right to have
representation present during questioning; a right to be informed of the
nature of an investigation before any interview commences, including the
name of the complainant; a right not to be threatened with departmental,
civil or criminal charges during questioning; a right to respond to
adverse accusations; and a right not to be disciplined for exercising a
Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Among other provisions, it would
encourage states to adopt a 'Bill of Rights' for local law enforcement
personnel for protections related to investigations arising from their
official duties." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The
House adopted the amendment by a vote of 268 to 156. [House Vote 226,
5/18/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.
40;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
181]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Award Grants To Law Enforcement Agencies Or
Prosecuting Offices To Establish Clearance And Technological
Investigative Practices To Improve Clearance Rates For Homicides, Sexual
Assaults, Kidnappings And Non-Fatal Shootings. In September 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Violent
Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Act of 2022,
which would "require the Justice Department, within 180 days of
enactment, to establish a grant program to help law enforcement agencies
or prosecuting offices establish and implement clearance and
technological investigative practices to improve clearance rates for
homicides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings and non-fatal shootings.
It would authorize $100 million annually through fiscal 2032 for the
program. Projects eligible for grant funding would include developing
policies, procedures and training to help detectives effectively
investigate and solve crimes; hiring and retaining detectives and other
personnel involved in collecting, processing, and testing evidence or
analyzing violent crime; supporting victim services; implementing
policies that safeguard civil rights and civil liberties in processing
evidence; and establishing programs to support officers who experience
stress or trauma as a result of responding to or investigating violent
crimes. The bill would require grant recipients, within one year of
receiving a grant, to submit a report to the department on funded
activities and require the National Institute of Justice to submit a
biennial report to Congress evaluating the practices used by grant
recipients and the efficacy of any services provided to victims and
their family members. It would establish a 100 percent federal cost
share for grants awarded through 2032 and, for subsequent grants, a 50
percent federal cost share that could be adjusted by the department."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 250-178.
The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote
454, 9/22/22;
Congressional Quarterly,
9/22/22; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
5768]
The Bill Would Have Authorized $100 Million Annually Through FY
2032 For The Grant Program. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"It would authorize $100 million annually through fiscal 2032 for
the program." [Congressional Quarterly,
9/22/22]
The Bill Would Have Supported Law Enforcement Agencies Create
Violence Incident Clearance And Technological Investigative
Methods. According to The Washington Post, "The Victim Act of 2022
would help law enforcement agencies establish violent incident
clearance and technological investigative methods. The measure was
sponsored by Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), who is trying to unseat Sen.
Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)." [The Washington Post,
9/22/22]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Expand Eligible Expenditures Under The
Community-Oriented Policing Grant Program To Include Certain
Recruiting-Related Costs And To Require The Department Of Justice To
Establish Procedures For Understaffed Law Enforcement Agencies Applying
For Grants. In May 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would modify the Community
Oriented Policing Services grant program to specify that Justice
Department public safety and community policing grants could be used to
support hiring activities by law enforcement agencies experiencing
officer recruitment application declines by reducing application-related
fees, including for background checks, psychological evaluations and
testing. It would permit the department to use up to $3 million, out of
amounts made available for such grants in a fiscal year, to award
competitive grants to a law enforcement agency in partnership with an
elementary or secondary school or higher education institution for
recruiting activities that support student exploration of potential law
enforcement career opportunities. It also would require the DOJ, within
180 days of the bill's enactment, to establish consistent procedures
for understaffed law enforcement agencies applying for a hiring grant
under the public safety and community policing grant program, including
guidance that would clarify that the agencies remain eligible for such
grant funding and enable them to attest that the grant funding is not
being used to supplant state or local funds. It also would require the
Government Accountability Office, within 540 days after the bill's
enactment, to submit to the congressional judiciary committees a report
containing the study on the effects of recruitment and attrition rates
on federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies in the
U.S." The House passed the bill by a vote of 370 to 18. [House Vote
196, 5/14/24;
Congressional Quarterly,
5/14/24; Congressional Actions,
S.
546]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Justice Department To Develop
Or Identify Pre-Existing Trainings For Law Enforcement And Crisis
Responders Regarding De-Escalation, Mental Health Crises And Individuals
With Disabilities. In December 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Law Enforcement De-Escalation
Training Act of 2022, which would "require the Justice Department,
within 180 days of enactment, to develop or identify preexisting
effective training curricula for law enforcement officers and crisis
intervention team responders regarding de-escalation, responding to
mental health crises or individuals with disabilities, participating on
crisis intervention teams, and making referrals to community-based
mental health and other services. It would require the curricula to
include scenario-based exercises and pre- and post-training knowledge
assessments, including to evaluate participants' application of
knowledge and skills gained. Among other provisions, the bill would
require the department to develop a process to certify training programs
that use such curricula and publish a list of law enforcement agencies
that employ officers or use mental health professionals who have
completed de-escalation training. It would authorize a total of $34
million through fiscal 2026 for program implementation. The bill would
also authorize $40 million for fiscal 2025 and $50 million for fiscal
2026 for DOJ grants to states to pay for certified de-escalation
training by state or local governments, and it would require grant
recipients to ensure that all officers employed for at least two years
have received the training." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 264-162, thus the bill was sent to President Biden
and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 525,
12/14/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/14/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
4003]
The Bill Provided $34 Million Through FY 2026 For The Bill's
Implementation, $40 Million For FY 2025 And $50 Million For FY
2026 For DOJ Grants To Cover De-Escalation Training By State And
Local Agencies. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would
authorize a total of $34 million through fiscal 2026 for program
implementation. The bill would also authorize $40 million for
fiscal 2025 and $50 million for fiscal 2026 for DOJ grants to
states to pay for certified de-escalation training by state or local
governments, and it would require grant recipients to ensure that
all officers employed for at least two years have received the
training." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/14/22]
The Bill Sought To Streamline De-Escalation Training And
Use-Of-Force Alternatives To Safely Respond To Instances Of People
Experiencing Behavioral Health Or Suicidal Crises. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It also would provide a closed rule for
House floor consideration of a bill (S 4003) would require the
Justice Department to streamline de-escalation training and
alternatives to use force to safely respond to individuals
experiencing behavioral health or suicidal crises." [Congressional
Quarterly,
12/13/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Law Enforcement
De-Escalation Training Act Of 2022. In December 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the
rule (H Res 1518) that would provide for floor consideration of [...]
the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (S 4003)." The vote was
on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of
216-206. [House Vote 521,
12/14/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/14/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1518;
Congressional Actions, S.
4003]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Law Enforcement
De-Escalation Training Act Of 2022. In December 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order
the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment)
on the rule (H Res 1518) that would provide for floor consideration of
[...] the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (S 4003)." The
vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to
the motion by a vote of 212-210. [House Vote 520,
12/14/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/14/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1518;
Congressional Actions, S.
4003]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Justice Department To Develop
Or Identify Pre-Existing Trainings For Law Enforcement And Crisis
Responders Regarding De-Escalation, Mental Health Crises And Individuals
With Disabilities. In November 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Law Enforcement De-Escalation
Training Act of 2022, which would "require the Justice Department,
within 180 days of enactment, to develop or identify preexisting
effective training curricula for law enforcement officers and crisis
intervention team responders regarding de-escalation, responding to
mental health crises or individuals with disabilities, participating on
crisis intervention teams, and making referrals to community-based
mental health and other services. It would require the curricula to
include scenario-based exercises and pre- and post-training knowledge
assessments, including to evaluate participants' application of
knowledge and skills gained. Among other provisions, the bill would
require the department to develop a process to certify training programs
that use such curricula and publish a list of law enforcement agencies
that employ officers or use mental health professionals who have
completed de-escalation training. It would authorize a total of $34
million through fiscal 2026 for program implementation. The bill would
also authorize $40 million for fiscal 2025 and $50 million for fiscal
2026 for DOJ grants to states to pay for certified de-escalation
training by state or local governments, and it would require grant
recipients to ensure that all officers employed for at least two years
have received the training." The vote was on passage. The House failed
to acquire a 2/3 majority and rejected the bill by a vote of 247-160.
The House revisited this bill on House vote 525. [House Vote 486,
11/29/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/29/22;
Congressional Actions,
S.4003]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Expand Eligibility For Death And Disability
Benefits To Police Officers Who Were Exposed To Traumatic Events In The
Line Of Duty, Developed Trauma-Related Mental Disabilities Or Committed
Suicide. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022,
which would "expand eligibility for death and disability benefits under
the Justice Department's Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program to
officers who are exposed to traumatic events in the line of duty and
develop trauma-related mental disabilities or die by suicide." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 402-17, thus the
bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 223,
5/18/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6943]
The Bill Would Establish A Legal Presumption For Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder And Other Trauma And
Stress-Related Disorders As A "Line-Of-Duty Personal Injury" If The
Disorder Was Derived From The Officer's Duties In A Traumatic
Event. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Specifically, it
would establish that post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress
disorder and other trauma and stress-related disorders are presumed
to constitute a line-of-duty personal injury if a substantial factor
in the disorder was the officer's exposure while on duty to a
traumatic event, defined as a homicide or suicide, violent death,
circumstance that poses significant danger to any individual or act
of sexual violence against any individual." [Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22]
The Bill Would Establish A Legal Presumption Of A Direct Cause Of
Death Or Disability In Suicide Instances If A Police Officer's
Exposure To A Traumatic Event Was A Key Factor In Their Suicide
Attempt. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would also
establish a presumption of direct cause of death or disability in
the case of a suicide or attempted suicide by an officer if their
exposure to a traumatic event was a substantial factor in the
action." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/18/22]
The Bill Would Specify That Existing Restrictions On Compensation
In The Case Of Intentional Or Voluntary Intoxication Would Not
Apply. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would specify
that existing prohibitions on benefit payments in the case of
intentional action or voluntary intoxication of an officer would not
apply in these cases. It would require the Government Accountability
Office, within one year of enactment, to report to Congress on
benefits issued under the bill's provisions." [Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Establishing A National Police
Misconduct Registry To Report Use Of Force, Racial Profiling, Misconduct
Records And Routine Police Practices. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted
against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "require the Justice Department to
establish a national police misconduct registry, and it would establish
a number of reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies,
including on use of force, racial profiling, officer misconduct records
and routine policing practices -- with data disaggregated by
demographics of officers and civilians involved." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-212. The Senate did
not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 60,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280]
The George Floyd Justice In Policing Act Would Strive To Hold
Police Officers Accountable, Collect Data To "Improve Transparency
Of Law Enforcement Policing Practices And Overhaul Police Training
And Policies." According to Congressional Quarterly, "The policing
overhaul measure, introduced after George Floyd was killed by a
police officer last May, would hold law enforcement accountable for
misconduct, require data collection to improve transparency of law
enforcement policing practices and overhaul police training and
policies." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/1/21]
The Measure Would Require Data Reporting On Police Encounters And
Establish A Nationwide Police Misconduct Registry To Hold
Accountable Police Officers Who Were Fired Or Left An Agency.
According to Politico, "The measure would also eliminate qualified
immunity for law enforcement, mandate data collection on police
encounters and create a nationwide police misconduct registry to
hold accountable problematic officers who are fired or leave an
agency." [Politico,
3/3/21]
The Bill Would Have Required The Justice Department To Analyze And
Recommend Updates To Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation
Criteria. According to Congressional Quarterly, "require the
Justice Department to analyze and recommend updates to law
enforcement agency accreditation standards." [Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Establish A Program For Federal Law
Enforcement Officers, Including Retired Officers, To Purchase Firearms,
Except Machine Guns, That Were Issued To Them By An Agency Once The
Firearms Were Retired. In May 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Federal Law Enforcement Officer
Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "require the General Services
Administration, within one year of enactment, to establish a program for
federal law enforcement officers, including retired officers, to
purchase any firearm, except a machine gun, that was issued to them by
an agency when the gun is declared as surplus, provided the officer is
in good standing and the purchase is made within six months of the
weapon's retirement. As amended, it would require such firearms to be
sold at 'salvage value,' or the value at the end of an asset's useful
life." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of
232 to 198. [House Vote 222,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3091]
The Bill Would Allow Federal Law Enforcement Officers To Buy Their
Own Retired Service Weapons. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"The House also passed a bill, 232-198, Wednesday that would allow
federal law enforcement officers to purchase their own retired
service weapons (HR 3091)." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
The Bill Would Only Allow Such Service Weapon Purchases If The
Officer Were In Good Standing And If The Purchase Were Made Within
Six Months Of A Weapon's Retirement. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Passage of the bill, as amended, that would require the
General Services Administration, within one year of enactment, to
establish a program for federal law enforcement officers, including
retired officers, to purchase any firearm, except a machine gun,
that was issued to them by an agency when the gun is declared as
surplus, provided the officer is in good standing and the purchase
is made within six months of the weapon's retirement."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
The Bill Would Require Firearms To Be Sold At "Salvage Value,"
Which Is The Value At The End Of An Asset's Useful Life. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "As amended, it would require such
firearms to be sold at 'salvage value,' or the value at the end of
an asset's useful life." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/17/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Permit
Officers To Purchase Any Retired Firearms, Except Machine Guns, Instead
Of Just Handguns. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the Federal Law Enforcement
Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "allow for officers,
under the bill's provisions, to purchase any retired firearms except
machine guns, as opposed to only handguns." The vote was on the adoption
of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 218 to
217. [House Vote 221,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3091;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
178]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Make Retired
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Eligible To Purchase Retired Service
Weapons. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the Federal Law Enforcement
Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "make retired federal
law enforcement officers eligible to purchase retired service weapons
under the bill's provisions." The vote was on the adoption of an
amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 232 to 202.
[House Vote 220,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3091;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
177]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Require
Handguns That Were Procured Under The Service Weapon Purchases Bill To
Be Sold At "Salvage Value" Instead Of At Fair Market Value. In May
2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase
Act, which would "require handguns purchased under the bill to be sold
at 'salvage value,' or the value of an asset at the end of its useful
life, instead of at 'fair market value.'" The vote was on the adoption
of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 248 to
184. [House Vote 219,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3091;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
176]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Have Required
Relevant Federal Agencies To Establish "Good Standing" Standards For
Police Officers In Relation To Service Weapon Purchases. In May 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment
to the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act,
which would "require each relevant federal agency, within one year and
30 days after enactment, to establish procedures for determining if an
officer is 'in good standing' with respect to the bill's provisions."
The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the
amendment by a vote of 216 to 219. [House Vote 218,
5/17/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3091;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
175]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Federal Law Enforcement
Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. In May 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule
that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the Federal Law
Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act (HR 3091); and the
concurrent resolution (H Con Res 40) expressing support for law
enforcement and condemning efforts to defund law enforcement agencies.
The rule would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill. It
would make in order floor consideration of two amendments to HR 2494,
four amendments to HR 3091 and one amendment to H Con Res 40." The vote
was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of
222 to 203. [House Vote 216,
5/16/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/16/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
398;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3091]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Federal Law Enforcement
Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. In May 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the
previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on
the rule that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the
Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act (HR 3091);
and the concurrent resolution (H Con Res 40) expressing support for law
enforcement and condemning efforts to defund law enforcement agencies.
The rule would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill. It
would make in order floor consideration of two amendments to HR 2494,
four amendments to HR 3091 and one amendment to H Con Res 40." The vote
was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the
motion by a vote of 220 to 209. [House Vote 215,
5/16/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/16/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
398;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3091]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Department Of Justice To
Develop Crisis Intervention Training Tools For First Responders
Interacting With Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury Or
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In May 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the TBI and PTSD Law
Enforcement Training Act, which would "require the Justice Department's
Bureau of Justice Assistance, in consultation with other agencies, to
develop crisis intervention training tools for use by first responders
based on best practices for interacting with persons who have a
traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. It would
require the office to make the training available as part of the
department's Police-Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit and ensure the
training tools are implemented by at least one designated police
department. It would authorize $54 million annually through fiscal 2027
for Justice Department police-mental health collaboration grants,
including to develop the training. It would also require the Health and
Human Services Department, within two years of enactment, to submit a
study to Congress on the prevalence of concussions among first
responders." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 400-21, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 222,
5/18/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2992]