NAPO attends VP's VAWA reception, lobbies on Capitol Hill and provides information on Upcoming Events
September 13, 2013
NAPO’s Executive Director Attends Reception at Vice President’s Home to Mark the Anniversary of VAWA
Last night, NAPO’s Executive Director, Bill Johnson, attended a reception at Vice President Biden’s home to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which was first signed into law in 1994. Johnson joined approximately 140 guests at the reception, including senior Administration officials, members of Congress, and private sector partners, as well as leaders of the major national women’s, domestic violence, Tribes, and sexual assault advocacy organizations.
NAPO was honored to be a part of the event, and will continue to support Vice President Biden’s efforts to bring awareness to violence against women, and hold perpetrators accountable.
NAPO’s Executive Director Interviewed by Colombian National Television
On September 12, 2013, NAPO’s Executive Director did an interview for Colombian national television. The topic was how laws in different countries are used to protect police officers. A link to the story as it aired in Colombia at noon yesterday is available at: http://www.noticiascaracol.com/mundo/video-304174-de-3-a-25-anos-pagan-quienes-agreden-a-policias-ee-uu.
NAPO’s Day on Capitol Hill
National Blue Alert Act, Collective Bargaining Legislation, Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act, & Postal Reform Legislation
As noted in previous Washington Reports, Congress is back in session this week, and NAPO has expended great efforts to ensure our mission and legislative priorities remain at the forefront of the Congressional agenda. Yesterday, NAPO spent the day on Capitol Hill working the following issues:
National Blue Alert Act of 2013: NAPO attended a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, which was scheduled to include a mark-up of the National Blue Alert Act. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) requested the legislation be held over until the Judiciary Committee reconvenes on September 19, 2013. (The legislation is scheduled as the first item on the agenda).
NAPO has made the passage of the National Blue Alert Act of 2013 a top legislative priority, and will continue to advocate for the passage of this important piece of legislation. NAPO will provide our members with an update on the status of this legislation after the Judiciary Committee meets next week.
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act: NAPO met with Congresswoman Marcia Fudge’s (D-OH) staff to express support for reintroducing legislation to extend collective bargaining rights to public safety officers. Congresswoman Fudge’s staff was very receptive to NAPO’s briefing, and expressed interest in supporting efforts to reintroduce the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act during the 113th Congress.
During the briefing, the Congresswoman’s staff noted that NAPO’s letter requesting the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act be reintroduced spurred action on this issue. NAPO’s letter was sent to every member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce.
NAPO will continue to engage members of Congress to ensure that this legislation is reintroduced.
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act (JMHCA): NAPO joined other law enforcement organizations in a meeting with a staffer for Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) to discuss the JMHCA. During the meeting, NAPO stressed its commitment to ensuring the JMHCA is passed. NAPO also noted the importance of providing training for members of the law enforcement community, who routinely come into contact with individuals with mental health issues. We are hopeful that Senator Chambliss will co-sponsor the legislation.
NAPO plans to join other law enforcement organizations in upcoming meetings with Congressional staffers to ensure this legislation stays at the top of the Congressional agenda.
Postal Reform Legislation: NAPO attended a brief meeting to discuss collaborative efforts to remove the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act from the current version of Postal Reform legislation. Specifically, NAPO is concerned that the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act would cut benefits for federal workers injured on the job once they reach retirement age. The Workers’ Compensation Reform Act would severely impact honorably injured federal law enforcement officers currently on worker’s compensation. Additionally, this text would negatively impact state and local law enforcement officers that are covered by federal workers’ compensation benefits.
NAPO will continue to engage staffers to stress that Postal Reform legislation is not the appropriate vehicle for the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act.
If you have any questions on NAPO’s legislative priorities, please contact Melissa Nee at: mnee@napo.org.
Upcoming Events
Yesterday, the Opal Financial Group sent information on the upcoming Pension and Benefits seminar. Opal inadvertently included the wrong dates in the e-mail. The information below includes the correct dates for the Pension and Benefits Seminar, as well as details on future events.
26th Annual Police, Fire, EMS & Municipal Employee Pension & Benefits Seminar
Saturday, February 8 – Monday, February 10, 2014
Caesars Palace -- Las Vegas, Nevada
21st Annual TOP COPS Awards® Dinner
Monday, May 12, 2014
Washington Marriott Marquis -- Washington, District of Columbia
Annual Legal Rights and Legislative Seminar
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Washington Marriott Marquis -- Washington, District of Columbia
NAPO’s 36th Annual Convention
Saturday, July 19 – Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Hilton Garden Inn – Kalispell, Montana
2014 Executive Board Meetings: February 8, May 11, July 19
Please contact Elizabeth Loranger at eloranger@napo.org for detailed event information and exhibiting/sponsorship opportunities.
Contact us at (800) 322-6276 or via e-mail at info@napo.org with any questions.