Congressman Deluzio Announces Support of Slate of Public Safety Bills in Recognition of National Police Week

Cong. Christopher R. Deluzio | Official U.S. House headshot

By Southeast Allegheny News Report

May 23, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On May 16, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced his support and co-sponsorship of eight public safety bills. These go along with his bill, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, that will equip, support, and repay law enforcement and first responders who answer the call to respond to a train derailment or accident.

“National Police Week is an important marker in the year to honor and remember the service and sacrifices of the men and women of America’s law enforcement,” said Rep. Deluzio. “Today, I am proud to announce my endorsement of several actionable bills that will support law enforcement officers in their work to make our communities safer and will strengthen their hard-earned retirement security.”

The bills that Congressman Deluzio is announcing his support for today include:

Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act: This bill would provide more than 30,000 officers who preform law enforcement functions for federal agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Postal Service, and others with equitable retirement benefits.
Invest to Protect Act of 2023: This bipartisan legislation invests in small and midsize police departments, providing funds for the recruitment, retention, support, and training they need. It will also give departments the ability to utilize resources to meet the needs of their communities and to make meaningful investments in their officers.
National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act: This bill is a bipartisan effort to establish within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) a formal program to support and enhance the community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum.
Protect and Serve Act: The Protect and Serve Act enhances penalties for anyone who targets law enforcement officers and purposefully harms them.
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes:The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023 (Honor Act) would rightfully recognize the job-related roots of cancer for first responders by providing presumptive benefits for occupational cancer under the PSOB program. This bill ensures that the death or permanent disability of a public safety officer due to an exposure-related cancer is presumed a personal injury sustained in the line of duty under the PSOB program if certain conditions are met.
Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act:Eliminates barriers to homeownership by creating a one-time-use home loan program through FHA for law enforcement officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, and pre-K-12 teachers who are first-time homebuyers.
Social Security Fairness Act of 2023: Congressman Deluzio is proud to support this bipartisan, national effort to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), two provisions of the Social Security Act that unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of Americans who have devoted much of their careers to public service—including federal employees, police officers, firefighters, and educators. The WEP impacts approximately 2 million Social Security beneficiaries—and the GPO impacts nearly 800,000 retirees.
Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act:This bipartisan bill would help keep officers on the job by extending and adjusting the U.S. Department of Justice's COPS Hiring Program to allow local law enforcement to use the funds for recruitment and retention bonuses.