Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) spearheaded the introduction of the Protect and Serve Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at making it a federal crime to knowingly cause or attempt to cause bodily injury to a law enforcement officer.

"Our law enforcement officers risk their lives every single day to protect our communities," stated Sen. Cruz. "It is utterly reprehensible for anyone to attack our men and women in blue for enforcing law, order, and public safety. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this commonsense legislation to hold accountable violent criminals who attempt to harm our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers. These public servants deserve to be protected in the line of duty."

The bill, endorsed by various law enforcement organizations, seeks to address the alarming statistics related to attacks on law enforcement officers. According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, in 2023 alone, 378 officers were shot in the line of duty, with 46 of them losing their lives to gunfire. Additionally, there were 115 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers, resulting in 138 officers being shot, and 20 of them killed by gunfire.

The Protect and Serve Act proposes to give federal prosecutors the necessary tools to hold accountable those who target law enforcement for assault and attacks. The legislation includes provisions such as making it a federal crime to knowingly cause or attempt to cause bodily injury to a law enforcement officer, with offenders facing imprisonment for up to 10 years. In cases where death results from the offense or if the offense involves kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder, offenders could receive a life sentence.

Joining Sens. Cruz and Tillis in introducing the legislation were Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

The Protect and Serve Act has garnered support from organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police, Sergeant Benevolent Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition, and the National Association of Police Organization.

This legislation would apply not only to federal law enforcement officers but also to state and local officers in cases where the federal government can establish jurisdiction over the matter. Sen. Tillis had initially introduced the Protect and Serve Act in 2020.