WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 
For the Week of 22 June 2001 

I. THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS:

The House and Senate were both in session this week.

The House continued working on the Fiscal Year 2002 appropriations bills, passing H.R. 2216, the Supplemental FY 2001 appropriations bill; H.R. 2217, the FY 2002 Interior Appropriations Act; and reporting the Transportation appropriations bill from full Committee.

The Senate continues to battle over a reorganization resolution following the change of power. The Senate also began debate on S. 1052, the "Patients' Bill of Rights" legislation.

II. UPDATE ON TOP PRIORITIES:

No new cosponsors were added to H.R. 21 (Lautenberg). Our current total is fourteen (14).

Five new cosponsors were added to H.R. 218 (Concealed Carry), bringing our current total to one hundred thirty-nine (139). We still need to boost the cosponsorship levels of this legislation. An updated list of the cosponsors form the 106th Congress who have not yet signed on is attached to this e-mail (in MSWord format). If all of last year's cosponsors sign on, we will have 186 cosponsors--only 32 short of a House majority! PLEASE FOLLOW UP WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES IN YOUR REGION--ESPECIALLY THOSE MEMBERS WHO SUPPORTED THE BILL IN THE 106TH CONGRESS!!!

No new cosponsors were added to H.R. 1475 (Collective Bargaining). Our current total is one hundred and fifty-three (153).

One new cosponsor (Senator Daschle, the Senate Majority Leader) was added to S. 952 (Collective Bargaining), bringing our current total to eight (8) cosponsors.

No new cosponsors were added to H.R. 1626 (Due Process). Our current total is three (3).

No new cosponsors were added to S. 840 (Due Process). Our current total is one (1).

Six new cosponsors were added to H.R. 664 (Gov't Pension Offset). Our current total is two hundred and thirty-eight (238), more than a majority of the House of Representatives.

One new cosponsor was added to S. 611 (Gov't Pension Offset), bringing our current total to twenty-one (21).

No new cosponsors were added to H.R. 848 (Windfall). Our current total is ninety-five (95).

III. 18 JUNE PRESS RELEASE ON SUPREME COURT DECISION IN SAUCIER V. KATZ
SUPREME COURT PRESERVES OFFICER'S IMMUNITY

Gilbert G. Gallegos, National President of the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Saucier v. Katz (No. 99-1977), describing it as "fair, reasonable and in the public interest."

Animal rights activist Elliot Katz sued military police officer Donald Saucier, alleging that the officer used excessive force in removing him from a speech by then-Vice President Al Gore at the Presidio Army Base. Katz, a sixty-year old man whose broken foot was in a brace, was not injured in the course of the arrest. The trial court ruled the arrest lawful, but stripped Officer Saucier of his immunity, allowing him to be sued for his lawful actions. The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police participated in the case by filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of Officer Saucier.

"Essentially, the Court held that a police officer is entitled to immunity from being sued when making a lawful arrest," Gallegos said. "Society authorizes and trains police officers to use reasonable force when affecting an arrest. Officers should not be exposed to litigation and money damages for using minimal force to take decisive control of an arrest situation, especially when the force used is reasonably related to legitimate police purposes and its use causes no physical injury."

The Supreme Court concluded that Officer Saucier could not be sued for his actions, continuing to provide the police a zone of protection for making the difficult, on the spot decisions required in their discharge of their official duties. Without this zone of protection, the police cannot effectively protect the public or their fellow officers from harm.

"These issues are of vital interest to the FOP and its membership," Gallegos said, "and we will continue to fight for our officers' rights in the courts and at the bargaining table."

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with over 294,000 members.

IV. OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY:

On 21 June, Executive Director Jim Pasco had a very good meeting with senior officials at the Department of Justice to discuss the issues of racial profiling and "pattern and practice" investigations. The dialogue focused on further cooperation with the Department on both of these issues. In addition, Executive Director Pasco joined Secretary Elaine Chao at the "21st Century Workforce Summit" for a discussion on labor issues.

The F.O.P. has added the following bills to its list of legislation supported for the 107th Congress:

H.R. 1535 (Wolf)--The "Federal Inmate Work Act of 2001," will increase the opportunities for inmates to gain meaningful employment through the Federal Prison Industries of the Bureau of Prisons, while ensuring the continued success of the program. The bill will help create a safer environment for correctional officers at BOP facilities, reduce the rate of recidivism, enhance public safety, provide restitution to victims of crime and their families at no additional cost to American taxpayers.

H.R. 2199 (Norton)--the "District of Columbia Police Coordination Amendment Act of 2001", will amend current law to further enhance the ability of Federal and local law enforcement to work together towards the shared goal of safer streets and communities. In the 105th Congress, the FOP supported the original DC Police Coordination Act, the goal of which is to improve public safety in the District by increasing the level of cooperation between the Metropolitan Police Department and the numerous Federal law enforcement agencies located in our nation's capital.

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

 

 

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Last Updated: Wednesday, December 21st, 2005