Washington Watch: Legislative Update
For the Week of 25 January 2010
I. Legislative News and Activity
II. This Week in Congress
III. Update on FOP Top Legislative Priorities
IV. Update on LEOSA
V. DAY ON THE HILL 2010!
I. LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson represented the FOP at a reception for public safety advocacy associations.
Senior Legislative Liaison Richardson and Legislative Liaison Jon Gentile participated in a conference call with organizations in the criminal justice community to discuss the impending release of the Administration's FY2011 budget for the U.S. Department of Justice
II. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
Both the House and the Senate were in session this week. The House adjourned early in the week for the Republican issue conference.
The President delivered the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. In his address, he mentioned that H.R. 1/PL 111-5 the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” which the FOP supported, created tens of thousands of jobs for law enforcement and other public safety officers.
Action in the House
The House considered and unanimously passed S. 2939, the “Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act.”
Action in House Committees
The Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing on the airline bombing attempt of 25 December 2009.
The Committee on the Judiciary voted unanimously to favorably report H.R. 3695, the “Help Find the Missing Act.” This legislation, which the FOP supports, would authorize funding for and increase accessibility to, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
Action in the Senate
The Senate considered and passed H.J. Res. 45, a joint resolution increasing the statutory limit on the public debt, on a 60-39 vote.
The Senate confirmed Ben S. Bernanke to a second term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve on a 70-30 vote.
Action in Senate Committees
The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on the airline bombing attempt of 25 December 2009 with former 9/11 Commission Chairman Thomas H. Kean and Vice Chairman Lee H. Hamilton.
III. UPDATE ON FOP TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
For the complete list of cosponsors for all of our top legislative priorities, or to find out if your Representative and Senators are cosponsors of specific bills, check out http://thomas.loc.gov .
A. Social Security Issues
(1) Support H.R. 235/S. 484, the "Social Security Fairness Act"
We currently have three hundred and nine (309) cosponsors on H.R. 235--more than a House majority! Please note that this total differs slightly from THOMAS, as we are not including in our count former Representatives John M. McHugh (R-NY) and Ellen O. Tauscher (D-CA), who resigned to take positions in the Administration or Delegates Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam), Pedro R. Pierluisi (D-Puerto Rico) and Gregorio Sablan (D-MP), who have limited voting rights on the floor.
We currently have twenty-nine (29) cosponsors on S. 484. Please note that this total differs slightly from THOMAS, as we are not including in our count Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), who died last year.
(2) Opposing any legislation that would require the participation of public employees in Social Security
The FOP will continue to lobby against this scheme and oppose any legislation which would mandate participation in Social Security.
B. Support H.R. 413/S. 1611, the "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act"
We currently have one hundred and eighty-seven (187) cosponsors on H.R. 413 and need only thirty (30) additional cosponsors to reach a House majority! Please note that this total differs slightly from THOMAS, as we are not including in our count Representative John M. McHugh (R-NY), who resigned his seat last year to take a position with the Administration.
We currently have eight (8) cosponsors on S. 1611. Please note that this total differs slightly from THOMAS, as we are not including in our count Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), who died last year, or Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), who resigned his seat last year.
C. Support H.R. 1972, the "Law Enforcement Officer’s Procedural Bill of Rights Act"
We currently have three (3) cosponsors on H.R. 1972.
The Senate companion bill has not yet been introduced.
IV. UPDATE ON LEGISLATION AMENDING LEOSA
We added one (1) cosponsor to H.R. 3752, bringing our current total to nine (9). The bill is similar in most respects to the Senate companion bill, S. 1132. The House bill includes language that would also clarify the status of Federal Reserve Police as well as retired military personnel that served as law enforcement officers in their respective branch of service. We will continue to work with Rep. Forbes' office to get this bill moved through subcommittee.
We have three (3) cosponsors on S. 1132.
V. Day on the Hill 2009: 8-10 February!!!
The FOP Day on the Hill 2010 begin on Monday, 8 February 2010. The National Legislative Office and the National Legislative Committee will host a short briefing that day at 4pm in the District of Columbia Lodge #1 at 711 4th Street, NW.
Our guest speaker will be R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and former police chief in the cities of Buffalo and Seattle.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 9-10 February, will be devoted to your meetings with Members from your home States and districts. These appointments should be made in advance!!! Event participants should make every effort to have their Representative or Senator attend the meeting along with the appropriate staff person.
Accommodations for “Day on the Hill” Participants
The Grand Lodge has arranged for accommodations at the The Fairfax at Embassy Row
( http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/Fairfax/so.htm?IM=LC_HP_TL_English_SEG_245_Debuting ) at the rate of $159 per night plus tax.
The Fairfax at Embassy Row is located at 2100 Massachusetts Avenue NW in Washington, DC and is within walking distance of the Metro's Red Line.
Make your reservations now by calling 202-293-2100 and tell them you are with the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police's "Day on the Hill" event to get this special rate.
This special rate is available only until 1 February--so make your reservations NOW!!! |
