Washington Watch: Legislative Update
For the Week of 22 January 2018
I. Legislative News and Activity
II. This Week in Congress
III. Update on Top Legislative Priorities
IV. Reminder: Day on the Hill is February 12-14
V. Follow the FOP on Twitter!
I. LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ACTIVITY
Legislative Liaison Mike Martin Met with staff in the office of Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) to discuss H.R. 949/S. 597, the “Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act.”
Senior Legislative Liaison Tim Richardson and Legislative Liaison Scott Marks spoke with staff in the in the office of Representative David F. Kustoff (R-TN) regarding H.R. 4768, the “National Strategy for Combating the Financing of Transnational Criminal Organizations.”
II. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
There was a 3-day partial government shutdown, which came to a close Monday evening when the President signed H.R. 195. The government is funded through 8 February.
Action in the House
The House was not in session this week.
Action in the Senate
The Senate has considered and passed H.R. 195, the vehicle for the Continuing Resolution which funds the government through 8 February, on a vote of 81-18.
Action in Senate Committees
The Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs held a hearing entitled: “Combatting the Opioid Crisis: Exploiting Vulnerabilities in International Mail.”
III. UPDATE ON 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 https://www.congress.gov/
A. Support H.R. 1205/S. 915, the "Social Security Fairness Act"
We have 169 cosponsors on H.R. 1205.
One additional lawmakers have co-sponsored S. 915. We now have 18 co-sponsors.
B. Support the H.R. 964/S. 424, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act"
We have 32 cosponsors on H.R. 964.
We have 5 cosponsors on S. 424
C. Support H.R. 4846, the “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act”
We have 1 original sponsor on this legislation.
IV. Reminder FOP Day on the Hill is February 12-14
FOP’S DAY ON THE HILL: 12-14 FEBRUARY 2018
The FOP’s Day on the Hill event is a key component of our legislative advocacy strategy and our Grassroots Action Network. Having our members here on Capitol Hill, sitting down with their elected Senators and Representatives has a real and lasting impact on the FOP’s ability to move its agenda through Congress. We are coming off of a very successful First Session, but we need to continue to build on that success and we can’t do that without YOU!
Your participation is critical, and while we look forward to seeing old friends and our Day on the Hill veterans, this year we also want to see some new faces. We are challenging our members who do attend to bring along a lodge member who hasn’t yet participated in this event. By increasing the number of officers that lawmakers hear from, the greater effectiveness we will have as an organization. Talk about Day on the Hill in your lodge meetings and help us help you by increasing our participation.
We need Congress focused on OUR issues and OUR safety. We need you to help make sure our voice is heard and we need more voices!
This year’s Day on the Hill will begin on Monday, 12 February 2018. The National Legislative Office and the National Legislative Committee will host a short briefing on our legislative agenda. The briefing will take place on Monday afternoon at D.C. Lodge #1 and last approximately one hour.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 13-14 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 National Legislative Office is fortunate to have secured a room block at the Hyatt House, a brand new hotel on the Washington, D.C. waterfront just three blocks south of the National Mall. The room rate is $149 per night. Members must call 202-554-1234 and identify themselves as being part of the FOP National Legislative Group to get this reduced rate. Members can also go to this website to make their reservations: https://washingtondcthewharf.house.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=G-FOPN
THE CUT OFF DATE IS TOMMOROW 27 JANUARY 2018, SO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!!!
V. Follow the FOP on Twitter!
Sign up today for the latest news from Capitol Hill: https://twitter.com/GLFOP
