Deluzio, Garbarino Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Program to Help Local Law Enforcement Afford to Buy Bulletproof Vests

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02) introduced the newBipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act. This measure would increase the amount that states, units of local law enforcement, and federally recognized Native American tribes can be reimbursed when participating in the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program. This bill came out of a meeting between Congressman Deluzio and a Police Chief in his district, who noted the skyrocketing price of bulletproof vests for his police force.

"We've got to have safe communities, and that means making sure that the brave men and women of law enforcement have what they need to protect and serve all of us," said Congressman Deluzio. "The reform that my Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act would make could help get lifesaving gear to more cops on the beat. I want to thank Police Chief Mike Vogel from the Allegheny County Housing Authority for bringing this idea to me and his tireless service to the community."

A photo from Congressman Deluzio's meeting with Chief Vogel is available here.

Created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, the BVP program reimburses states, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribes for up to 50 percent of the cost of body armor vests purchased for law enforcement officers. Since 1999, over 13,000 jurisdictions have participated in the BVP Program, with a total of $573 million in federal funds for the purchase of over 1.5 million body armor vests.

"As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I know firsthand the threats our communities face and the dangers law enforcement officers confront every day," said Congressman Garbarino. "These brave men and women are on the front lines protecting our families from crime, and it is our duty to make sure they have the tools to stay safe. By expanding the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, we are giving local departments greater access to lifesaving protective gear. I am proud to join Congressman Deluzio in this effort to support law enforcement and strengthen public safety."

More specifically, the bill would:

• Increase the rate of reimbursement from 50% to 60% for states, units of local law enforcement, and federally recognized Native American tribes participating in the BVP Program
• Increases the authorization for the BVP program to $60 million a year

The measure has earned support from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association (PCPA), The International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), and The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

"The Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Actensures that no department-large or small-has to choose between their budget and their officers' safety," said Allegheny County Housing Authority Chief of Police Michael J. Vogel. "By increasing funding, this legislation strengthens the ability of law enforcement across Pennsylvania and the nation to provide life-saving protective gear. We thank Congressman Deluzio for championing this effort to keep our officers safe."

"As of June 30, 166 law enforcement officers in our nation have been shot in the line of duty, 21 of them fatally. Many others survived thanks to their bullet-resistant vests. Access to these lifesaving tools is essential, yet they have a limited shelf life and are costly to replace," said Sam Cabral, President International Union of Police Associations (IUPA). "At a time when departments are already facing severe fiscal challenges, financial assistance from the federal government is critical. This legislation will help ease that burden, ensuring officers have the protection they need and keeping our community guardians safer."

"Protective vests save lives that has been proven hundreds of times many departments are facing fiscal challenges. Any help in funding this life saving equipment is vital to the survival of the brave me and women who protect our communities," said Dennis Slocumb, Legislative Director, IUPA.

"Since it was enacted, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program has saved thousands of lives. Congress enacted it in 1998, and, with the FOP leading the charge, we made its authorization permanent in 2019 as the Patrick J. Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership program to honor the law's author and long-time champion. This legislation would increase the size of the Federal match that is provided by the BVP, which may not seem to have a big impact, but it absolutely will. Every vest purchased through this program may just save the life of an officer and you cannot put a price on that," said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The full bill text is available here.

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