Back the Blue Act of 2023
This bill creates new federal crimes for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers, judges, and certain public safety officers (including firefighters) while they are on duty or for past duties, with penalties including minimum 10-year sentences for killing and varying assault penalties based on severity. It adds a new factor that would make the federal death penalty more likely for killing such officers, limits federal legal challenges for convictions related to these killings, and expands law enforcement officers' rights to carry firearms in certain circumstances. The bill also provides funding for grants to improve community-law enforcement relationships through transparency, accountability, and officer wellness programs. It directly affects law enforcement officers, judges, and public safety personnel across the country, establishing new federal protections and procedures for violence against these personnel.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jan 13, 2023
Last action Jan 13, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 13, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
lower
Jan 13, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Don Bacon
RRepublican
Co
Andy Barr
RRepublican
Co
Anthony D’Esposito
RRepublican
Co
Bill Johnson
RRepublican
Co
Dan Newhouse
RRepublican
Co
Daniel Meuser
RRepublican
Co
Derrick Van Orden
RRepublican
Co
Doug LaMalfa
RRepublican
Co
Elise M. Stefanik
RRepublican
Co
Gus M. Bilirakis
RRepublican
Co
Guy Reschenthaler
RRepublican
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