NAPO Meets with Senator Cardin’s Staff to Discuss the National Blue Alert Act

October 23, 2013

On September 19, 2013, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the National Blue Alert Act of 2013 (S.357) by a vote of 15 to 3. This bill would create a nationwide alert system to apprehend violent criminals who have injured or killed police officers. Today, NAPO is scheduled to join fellow stakeholders in a meeting with Senator Cardin's (D- MD) staff to discuss strategies to ensure the passage of this important piece of legislation.

Senator Ben Cardin, author of the bill, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) called the Senate Judiciary Committee vote an important pledge of support for America's law enforcement officers. Senator Leahy noted: "We should support every state in their efforts to promote the safety of the public and law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day. The National Blue Alert Act will do just that."

The House of Representatives passed identical legislation in May 2013 by a vote of 406 to 2. During the 112th Congress, similar legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 394 to 1 and also was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Introduced by Senator Cardin in February 2013, the National Blue Alert Act of 2013 currently has 20 cosponsors, including: Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D- DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Charles Schumer (D- NY), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Rob Portman (R-OH).

This bill reaffirms NAPO's commitment to ensuring the safety of our law enforcement men and women and the communities they serve to protect every day. NAPO will continue to expend all available efforts to advocate for the passage of this legislation.

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

Source
United States. Cong. Senate. Judiciary Committee Passes National Blue Alert Bill To Help Apprehend Criminals Who Injure or Kill Law Enforcement Officers. By Sue Walitsky and Jessica Brady. 113th Cong. S. Bill. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Staff, 2013. Print.