VICTORY!!!National Blue Alert passes Senate Judiciary Committee

September 20, 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. 

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), author of the bill, and cosponsor Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), called the vote an important pledge of support for America’s law enforcement officers.  “The terrible tragedy at the Navy Yard in Washington was a good reminder to all of us of the importance of coordination among police officers and other agencies,” said Senator Leahy. “Because of good communication, law enforcement acted quickly to respond. 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.”  Also, during his opening statement Chairman Leahy recognized NAPO as a supporter of this legislation.

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, the National Blue Alert Act of 2013 currently has 17 cosponsors, including Senator Leahy and Senators 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) 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 as it moves to the full Senate for consideration.

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