WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 
For the Week of 27 April 2001 

1. The House and Senate returned this week from their two week Easter recess.

The House debated and passed H.R. 503, the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act," legislation making it a Federal crime to kill or harm an unborn fetus in the course of assaulting a pregnant woman.

The Senate debated and passed Brownfield's legislation and adopted a second bill extending special bankruptcy rules for farmers. In addition, the Senate began consideration of S. 1, legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act with a vote on cloture expected early next week.

Both chambers appointed Members to serve on the Conference Committee to  reconcile the House- and Senate-passed budgets for Fiscal Year 2001.

2. UPDATE ON TOP PRIORITIES:

Two new cosponsors were added to H.R. 21 (to amend the Lautenberg  Law), bringing our current total to thirteen (13).

Fourteen new cosponsors were added to H.R. 218 (Concealed Carry), bringing our current total to ninety-eight (98). We have been told that the House Subcommittee on Crime may schedule a hearing on this legislation during  National Police Week.

Twenty new cosponsors were added to H.R. 1475 (Collective Bargaining),  bringing our current total to one hundred and thirty-four (134).

Eighteen new cosponsors were added to H.R. 664 (Government Pension Offset), bringing our current total to two hundred and one (201). We need seventeen (17) additional cosponsors before we have a majority of the House of  Representatives.

No new cosponsors were added to S. 611 (Government Pension Offset). Our current total is fourteen (14).

Twelve new cosponsors were added to H.R. 848 (Windfall Elimination  Provision), bringing our current total to sixty-four (64).

3. UPDATE ON COLLECTIVE BARGAINING & DUE PROCESS RIGHTS FOR LEO's:
LEGISLATION IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED!!!!!!:

The Senate companion to H.R. 1475 will be introduced by Senators Judd  Gregg(R-NH) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) sometime in the next 2-3 weeks.  Congressmen Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Tom Davis (R-VA) introduced our "bill of rights" on Thursday, 26 April. The legislation, H.R. 1626, is almost  identical to the bill introduced last year and is entitled the "State  and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability and Due Process Act."  We are asking all members to contact their Representatives and have them become original cosponsors of the bill, and to pass this information on to as many other members as possible.

Senators Joe Biden (D-DE) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will most likely  introduce the Senate companion bill next week. Again, we ask that you reach out to your Senators ask them to sign on as an original cosponsor.

4. OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY:

Legislative Committee Members Ron Bakley and Gordon Buckley were in the  National Legislative Office this week, analyzing response sheets from "Day on the Hill." They targeted House Judiciary Members, visiting their offices and speaking with staff about H.R. 218 and our "bill of rights" legislation (now H.R. 1626).

The Education and Workforce Committee held a mark-up on H.R. 10, the  "Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act" on Thursday, 26 April. The bill is tentatively scheduled for a floor vote on 2 May 2001.

Fraternal Order of Police  (O) (202) 547-8189
National Legislative Office (F) (202) 547-8190
309 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20002
FOP National Legislative Office

Fraternal Order of Police Grand Lodge

 

 

Back to The FOC Legislative Issues Page.

Return to The Federal Coalition's Home Page.

Please direct all comments to: lewhetsel@verizon.net The Webmaster.

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 21st, 2005