During National Police Week, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis and other Republican members of Congress are urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring legislation, the Thin Blue Line Act, that allows for the federal death penalty for criminals who target or kill first responders, including police officers, to the House floor for a vote.
"Our police and first responders deserve to have the full force of the law protecting their professions," said Rep. Rodney Davis. "That's why I support the 'Thin Blue Line Act,' to protect and promote respect for those professions by sending a strong message to criminals out there – if you target, harm, or kill a law enforcement officer or first responder, be prepared to face the federal death penalty, regardless of what your state laws are. As National Police Week comes to a close, we can honor our police and first responders by passing this legislation. I urge Speaker Pelosi to bring it to the floor for a vote."
The Thin Blue Line Act expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in federal death penalty determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder and ensures that criminals face the strongest possible repercussions in