House Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to Protect Law Enforcement Officers' Lives

Washington, D.C.  – The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S. 125) to save law enforcement officers’ lives. Since 1999, the bulletproof vest program has awarded more than 13,000 jurisdictions, a total of $393 million in federal funds for the purchase of over one million vests. Based on the latest data collected and recorded by the Department of Justice, in Fiscal Year 2012, protective vests were directly attributable to saving the lives of at least 33 law enforcement and corrections officers, in 20 different states. At least 14 of those life-saving vests had been purchased, in part, with the grant program’s funds.  S. 125 reauthorizes the bulletproof vest program fund at $25 million per year and extends the authorization through Fiscal Year 2020. The legislation is supported by all major law enforcement organizations and was approved by the Senate in May 2015. Below are statements from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), and Representative Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), the author of the House companion to S. 125, on today’s Committee vote.

Chairman Goodlatte: “Law enforcement officers across the United States put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities and fellow citizens. As they continually make sacrifices for us, we must ensure that we provide them with resources to protect their lives as they protect ours. Today’s approval of legislation reauthorizing a critical bulletproof vest grant program for state and local law enforcement officers will save lives. I thank Representative LoBiondo and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Leahy for their work on this issue and dedication to our nation’s law enforcement officers and urge the House to pass this legislation immediately.” Ranking Member Conyers: “Our brave men and women in law enforcement risk their lives every day for our public safety and protection. I am elated to vote in support of reauthorizing the bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program that will extend funding for armor vests for law enforcement officers for another 5 years.” Representative LoBiondo: “The first line of defense for the brave men and women in blue is their bulletproof vest. As assaults on law enforcement officers continue to rise, we must ensure that our police are properly equipped. I appreciate Chairman Goodlatte and the Judiciary Committee’s commitment to keeping our law enforcement officers safe in the line of duty and look forward to full House consideration of this critical legislation.”

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