NAPO Washington Reports

Meeting with Senator Flake's Staff regarding the Blue Alert

August 20, 2013

Today, NAPO joined fellow law enforcement organizations in a meeting with Senator Flake’s (R-AZ) Chief Counsel, Elizabeth Taylor, to advocate for the passage of the National Blue Alert Act of 2013.  In the following days, NAPO plans to work with other stakeholders to provide additional data and statistics on the Blue Alert System to Ms. Taylor to respond to any questions and/or concerns Senator Flake may have about the bill. 

The bipartisan National Blue Alert Act of 2013, authored by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), directs the Department of Justice to establish a national communications network to quickly broadcast information to law enforcement agencies nationwide when an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty.  The measure, coauthored by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and cosponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and 11 other senators, would assist in the apprehension of someone suspected of seriously injuring or killing a law enforcement officer who crosses from one law enforcement jurisdiction to another. 

As noted in previous Washington Reports, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has placed a hold on the House passed version of the National Blue Alert Act of 2013.  Senator Coburn has refused to allow a vote on the bill.  NAPO has responded to the hold by sending Senator Coburn a letter of concern and requesting he release the hold.  Also, in addition to today’s meeting with Senator Flake’s staff, NAPO has advocated for the passage of this legislation by joining other law enforcement organizations in meetings with staffers who work for the following members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:  Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator Michael Lee (R-UT), and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). 

NAPO’s efforts contributed to the Senate Judiciary Committee scheduling a meeting in September 2013 for the Committee to consider this important legislation.  NAPO plans to follow up with the staffers listed above in the following weeks to ensure strong bipartisan support for this bill.

If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Melissa Nee at:  mnee@napo.org

Source:

United States. Cong. Senate. Senate Judiciary Committee. SJC To Consider National Blue Alert Act In September. By Patrick Leahy and Ben Cardin. 113th Cong. S. Bill. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.