Tuberville Champions Law Enforcement with "Back the Blue Act"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in introducing the "Back the Blue Act," a sweeping legislative proposal aimed at bolstering protections for law enforcement officers and increasing penalties for those who target them.

Senator Tuberville, who also cosponsored the bill in the 118th Congress, emphasized the need for stronger support for police amid rising concerns over officer safety and the impact of lenient criminal justice policies.

"Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day when they go into the field to protect us," said Tuberville. "We have to send a message loud and clear: violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. I will always back the blue and work to make sure these men and women are fully equipped with everything they need to keep us safe."

Key Provisions of the Back the Blue Act

The legislation introduces several new federal crimes and legal reforms designed to deter violence against law enforcement and enhance officer protections:

• New Federal Crimes:

• Killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a federal judge, law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years if death results, or 10 years otherwise. The death penalty would also be an option.

• Assaulting a federally funded law enforcement officer would carry escalating penalties based on injury severity and weapon use, pending certification from the Attorney General.

• Interstate flight to avoid prosecution for such crimes would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.

• Federal Death Penalty Enhancements:

Key Provisions of the Back the Blue Act

The legislation introduces several new federal crimes and legal reforms designed to deter violence against law enforcement and enhance officer protections:

• New Federal Crimes:

• Killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a federal judge, law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years if death results, or 10 years otherwise. The death penalty would also be an option.

• Assaulting a federally funded law enforcement officer would carry escalating penalties based on injury severity and weapon use, pending certification from the Attorney General.

• Interstate flight to avoid prosecution for such crimes would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.

• Federal Death Penalty Enhancements:

The bill has garnered support from a wide coalition of Republican senators, including Alabama's own Senator Katie Britt, as well as Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Tim Scott (R-SC), among others.

It has also received endorsements from major law enforcement organizations, including:

• Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)

• National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)

• Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)

• Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA)

• National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition (NNOAC)

• Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA)

• Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD

As the bill moves forward, Senator Tuberville reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that law enforcement officers have the legal backing and resources they need to serve and protect communities across the country.