Republican Texas Rep. Troy Nehls reintroduced a bill Thursday that seeks to honor the service of the nation’s law enforcement officers.
Nehls’ National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act directs the Department of Interior to establish a program to enhance the community outreach and public education efforts of the National Law Enforcement museum by awarding grants to a memorial fund that supports the museum. The legislation seeks to increase public support for law enforcement by aiding the museum’s education and outreach efforts, according to the bill text.
Nehls, a former law enforcement officer, introduced the bill Thursday on national law enforcement appreciation day.
“I’m proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation alongside my colleague, Congressman Panetta, to memorialize and honor our nation’s law enforcement officers,” Nehls told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Day in and day out, our nation’s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities, often without recognition. The National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act will pay tribute to and honor our brave law enforcement officers and bring public awareness to their service and sacrifices. As a former law enforcement officer, I will always back the blue.”
NLEOMF Bill Text (119th) [75] by adam on Scribd
Nehls’ reintroduction of the bill comes as Americans’ confidence in law enforcement is historically low. Just over half of Americans have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in law enforcement, according to a Gallup survey conducted in July 2024.
Nearly 150 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2024, amounting to a 25% increase from 2023, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Democratic California Rep. Jimmy Panetta is co-leading the bill, which has 28 cosponsors.
“Law enforcement officers across the nation work hard to protect our communities and serve the public,” Democratic California Rep. Jimmy Panetta told the DCNF. “The bipartisan National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act honors the bravery and sacrifice of those who have fallen in the line of duty by preserving their legacy, commemorating their service, and fostering stronger bonds between law enforcement and the public. This legislation is bipartisanship recognition for the courage and service of law enforcement.”
The law enforcement support bill is endorsed by many law enforcement organizations, including Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, International Union of Police Associations/AFL-CIO, National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs Association.
Nehls previously introduced the bill in May 2023. That bill obtained widespread support in the House with more than a third of lawmakers — 156 in total — signing on as cosponsors of the bill.
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