NEWS RELEASE: Senator Moody Gains More Support for Halo Act Following Violent Protests in Minneapolis

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, as assaults against ICE officers are up 1,300%, death threats against officers are up 8,000% and violent protests are breaking out around the country, Senator Ashley Moody has garnered further Senate support for her Halo Act. The Halo Act is modeled after Florida's Halo Law which establishes a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders to ensure their safety and allow them to do their jobs without interference or distraction. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Cynthia Lummis, Rick Scott, Ted Budd, Bill Hagerty, Tom Cotton, Bernie Moreno, Markwayne Mullin, Tommy Tuberville and Roger Marshall are cosponsoring the legislation.

Senator Ashley Moody said, "Our federal officers are facing assaults and violence at record levels, that simply cannot stand. It is our responsibility to ensure these officers have the ability to safely carry out their important duties free of impediment and harassment. As so called 'leaders' in the Democrat Party continue to ramp up their violent and dangerous rhetoric against our ICE officers, it is more important than ever to provide a buffer zone for these men and women enforcing the rule of law. Thank you to my colleagues for their support. I look forward to working together to ensure the Halo Act becomes law."

Senator Roger Marshall said, "As the son of a law enforcement officer, I know firsthand the sacrifices our federal agents make on a daily basis. While these officers are enforcing the law on behalf of the American people, no one should be allowed to harass, threaten, or physically impede them while they're doing their jobs. The Halo Act makes this crystal clear-we must protect our first responders and allow them to do their jobs without interference or distraction. I'm proud to join Senator Moody in backing the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country."

Senator Tommy Tuberville said, "Patriotic Americans are thankful for the work of federal law enforcement and what they are doing to clean up our streets. 'America Last' radicals are targeting federal agents because they're enforcing our laws, and I will continue to support our law enforcement until every single illegal has been deported. If you're going to interfere with law enforcement's ability to do their jobs in any way, don't be surprised if you are arrested and thrown in jail."

Senator Ted Budd said, "Any attempt to interfere with law enforcement can have dangerous consequences. I am proud to support Senator Moody's common-sense, proven approach to hold those accountable who seek to impede, threaten, or harass officers when responding to emergencies and carrying out their lawful duties."

Senator Markwayne Mullin said, "Our men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line every single day so we can make it home safe to our families. Anyone who interferes with the critical work of our officers will face heavy consequences and regret the day they did so."

Senator Bill Hagerty said, "It's essential that our nation's immigration enforcement agents be given space to perform their often-dangerous work. We must speak with clarity that interfering with law enforcement endangers everyone, so I'm pleased to support Senator Moody's HALO Act."

Specifically, Senator Moody's Halo Act would:

• Make it illegal for anyone-after being told to stay back-to knowingly come within 25 feet of a federal immigration officer who is doing their job if their intent is to:
  • Get in the way or interfere with the officer's work,
  • Threaten the officer with physical harm, or
  • Harass the officer.
• Anyone who breaks this rule could face a fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

Read bill text here.

Read more about the Halo Act…

• Senator Moody Condemns Attack on National Guard Members and Urges Senate to Pass Halo Act to Protect Federal Officers from Threats
• Senator Moody Introduces 'Halo Act' to Shield Federal Officers from Those Who Seek to Threaten & Harass Them on Duty
• NEWS RELEASE: Senator Moody's Halo Act to Protect Federal Officers from Threats, Harassment, and Violence While Doing Their Job Garners Support in the U.S. Senate

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