Gains Democratic Support, Trump Administration Endorsement
Bipartisan Legislation Strengthens Penalties Against Cop Killers
WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan announced new bipartisan support for his Thin Blue Line Act (H.R. 378) and renewed calls to pass the bill. The Thin Blue Line Act strengthens federal penalties for criminals who murder or target law enforcement officers and first responders.
“During National Police Week, we honor the brave law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” said Buchanan. “I’mgrateful that my Thin Blue Line Act has received bipartisan support because protecting those who protect us should never be a partisan issue. I also appreciate the strong support from the Trump Administration and the Department of Justice for this commonsense legislation, which ensures violent criminals who target law enforcement face the full force of the law. I will always stand with our men and women in blue.”
Buchanan’s bill earned new bipartisan support from members of Congress in 2026, including Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.). Additional cosponsors include Reps. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), John McGuire (R-Va.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Tim Moore (R-N.C.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Jay Obernolte(R-Calif.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Roger Williams (R-Texas) and Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.).
Buchanan’s legislation is supported by leading local and national law enforcement organizations, including the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, United States Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells.
In March, Buchanan announced that the Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice formally endorsed his Thin Blue Line Act, as first reported by LiveNOW from Fox.
Read the Department of Justice letter supporting the Thin Blue Line Act here or below.
Dear Representative Buchanan:
This letter presents the views of the Department of Justice on S. 83, the “Thin Blue Line Act,” as introduced in the Senate on January 14, 2025. The Department strongly supports this bill.
Combatting violent crime remains a priority of this Administration and holding violent criminals who attack and murder law enforcement accountable is paramount to those efforts. The Thin Blue Line Act would expand the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty cases to include killing, or targeting, a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder, either while engaged in official duties or because of his or her official duties, consistent with the priorities of this Administration.
We look forward to working with you in support of this important piece of legislation.
Sincerely,
Patrick Davis
Assistant Attorney General
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