117th US Congress Update January 2021

Feb 16, 2021

Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.

Governmental Affairs

117^th US Congress Update

January 2021

NEW BILLS of INTEREST

HR 72 Thin Blue Line Act

This bill would provide additional aggravating factors for the imposition of the death penalty based on the status of the victim.

Intro: 1/4/2021 Rep. Buchanan (FL-16) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states: 

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act

This bill would amend title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions.

Intro: 1/4/2021 Rep. Davis (IL-13) Status: Ways & Means

Cosponsors from SSPBA states: 

Democrats: Spanberger (VA-7), Cohen (TN-9), Price (NC-4), Luria (VA-2), Yarmuth (KY-3)

Republicans: Graves (LA-6), Comer (KY-1), Massie (KY-4), Higgins (LA-3), Guthrie (KY-2)

HR 155 POLICE Act

This bill would establish licensing standards for law enforcement.

Intro: 1/4/2021 Rep. Rush (IL-1) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states: 

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

HR 169 Driver and Officer Safety Education Act

This bill would establish a grant program for States that establish specific standards for education and training programs concerning civilian and law enforcement encounters during traffic stops and other in-person encounters.

Intro: 1/4/2021 Rep. Green (TX-9) Status: Transportation

Cosponsors from SSPBA states: 

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

HR 483 Reform to Federal Benefits

This bill would make reforms to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act for officers. Details not yet published. 

Intro: 1/25/2021 Rep. Ruiz (CA-36) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states: 

Democrats: Spanberger (VA-7)

Republicans: none

HR 521 Disabled Officers Receive Retirement Benefits As If Retired

This bill would permit disabled officers to receive retirement benefits in the same manner as if they had not been disabled. 

Intro: 1/28/2021 Rep. Connolly (VA-11) Status: House Oversight

Cosponsors from SSPBA states: 

Democrats: Sponsor Connolly, Wexton (VA-10)

Republicans: none

S 129 Disabled Officers Receive Retirement Benefits As If Retired

This bill would permit disabled officers to receive retirement benefits in the same manner as if they had not been disabled. 

Intro: 1/28/2021 Sen. Tester (MT) Status: Homeland Security

Cosponsors from SSPBA states: 

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

New Firearm Bills

House

30 Gun Trafficking Act

38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

121 Gun Violence Reduction Act

125 “Not Sorry” Gun Safety Act

127 Firearms Licensing

130 Safe Storage of Firearms

135 Firearm Transfer Regulations

137 Firearms and Mental Health

167 Gun Show Transfer – License Dealers Only

Senate

None

To read text of listed bills click on the Library of Congress link below then enter bill #.

https://www.congress.gov