Fitzpatrick Stands with PA-1 Law Enforcement to Unveil Fuel the Force Act

Bipartisan Community-Built Legislation to Strengthen Recruitment, Retention, Public Safety, and the Future of the Law Enforcement

Washington, DC- Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), former FBI Agent and Chairman of the CIA Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, unveiled the bipartisan Fuel the Force Act at a press conference in our Nation's Capital. He was joined by more than 30 police chiefs, frontline officers, union leaders, and public safety officials from Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.

The legislation-co-led by Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp Perez (D-WA-06)-was developed in direct collaboration with law enforcement professionals and written in close partnership with PA-1 constituent Christina Nelson, founder of the national nonprofit Fuel the Force. Born from years of local engagement and national advocacy, the bill addresses one of the most urgent challenges facing law enforcement today: recruiting and retaining experienced officers to ensure departments remain strong, professional, and equipped to protect our communities.

Click the thumbnail above or here to watch the full video from today's Press Conference

Speakers included: Christina Nelson, Fuel the Force, Founder; John Hoyt, FOP National 2^nd VP; and Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla, Police Chiefs Association of Bucks County, President.

A Targeted, Pro-Law Enforcement Solution

As departments across the country work to recruit the next generation of officers and retain experienced professionals essential to leadership and training, the Fuel the Force Act supports law enforcement at both ends of the pipeline.

Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), the bill exempts the first $100,000 of ordinary income from federal taxation for full-time officers with at least five years of service.

In his remarks, Congressman Fitzpatrick honored the law enforcement officers in attendance and reflected on the shared mission behind the legislation:

"The need for professional, exceptional law enforcement has never been greater - and the dangers our officers face have never been more real. These men and women stand on the front lines of that challenge, not for glory or recognition, but out of an unshakable sense of duty to the communities they serve. I know firsthand the discipline, courage, and sacrifice this calling demands," Fitzpatrick said.

"Some of the finest law enforcement officers in the entire nation serve right here in Pennsylvania's First District - and I've had the privilege of working side by side with them for years. This legislation was built with them - and with the incredible leadership of Christina Nelson, my longtime partner and a relentless advocate for our law enforcement community. Together, we translated local experience into national action, ensuring the men and women who serve with honor and professionalism are supported, respected, and empowered to lead."

He concluded by underscoring the mission of the Fuel the Force Act:

"At a time when departments are stretched thin and fewer are answering the call, this bill sends a clear message: if you step up to serve, your service will be respected, supported, and sustained. That's what this legislation does - and it's what our officers deserve.

"Last year, during Police Week, law enforcement officers told me that they had colleagues living on food stamps. That's enraging to me, and it goes hand in hand with what I hear from local law enforcement across Southwest Washington about how incredibly challenging it is to keep new officers on the force because of budget constraints and the nature of the job," said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. "Departments do their best work when they're able to build durable connections with the folks they serve. Those relationships take time to develop, so whenever a recruit leaves things go back to square one. This bipartisan bill addresses the retention issue head on to support law enforcement officers and keep our communities safe."

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Rowan Mack (Daughter of Stephanie Spencer Mack and the late PA State Trooper Martin Mack of PA-1), Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp Perez, Christina Nelson, PA-1 Law Enforcement Officers

From Local Conversations to National Action

In 2022, PA-1 constituent Christina Nelson founded Fuel the Force to support local officers. Through years of partnership with Fitzpatrick and departments across the district and country, that mission evolved into a national effort to turn appreciation into action.

"I started Fuel the Force with one simple goal: to show law enforcement officers that their service is seen and appreciated," said Christina Nelson, founder of Fuel the Force. "Today, thanks to Congressman Fitzpatrick, we're turning that gratitude into action. Officers across the country are carrying heavier workloads with fewer resources, and too many are being pushed out at the point in their careers when their experience matters most. The Fuel the Force Act offers real support by increasing take-home pay without creating new mandates or red tape. I'm grateful to my friend and partner, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, for standing with us over the years in this shared mission. We will always stand with the men and women who protect our communities every day, and we will keep fighting for them."

Law Enforcement Leaders Voice Strong Support

Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla, President of the Bucks County Police Chiefs Association

"This effort grew directly out of real conversations with law enforcement here in our community. Congressman Fitzpatrick-a former FBI agent and longtime partner to our local departments-listened to those concerns and, alongside Christina Nelson, turned them into action through the Fuel the Force Act. We're proud to support this initiative because it delivers meaningful, pro-law-enforcement solutions-helping departments retain experienced officers, strengthen public safety, and better protect the communities we serve here at home and across the nation," said Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla, President of the Bucks County Police Chiefs Association.

John Hoyt, FOP National 2^nd VP

"Law enforcement officers work tirelessly every day to protect their communities. In doing so, they shoulder immense mental, physical, and emotional demands. There's no law or policy that can mitigate these pressures, but by working with a longtime, trusted partner like Congressman Fitzpatrick, who understands the realities our officers face, we can take meaningful steps to support them and their families by providing targeted financial relief and support. By easing unnecessary financial burdens, this approach helps experienced officers remain on the job and encourages the next generation to commit to a career in public service, ensuring departments remain strong and communities safe," said FOP National President Patrick Yoes.

"Law enforcement officers across the country are being asked to do more with less-long hours, mounting responsibilities, and increasing risks, all while recruitment and retention continue to suffer. The Fuel the Force Act directly addresses that reality by providing meaningful, tangible financial relief to the men and women who dedicate their lives to public safety. By excluding a portion of officers' earned income from taxation, this legislation recognizes the sacrifices inherent in the profession and delivers real-world support that officers and their families will feel immediately," stated Mathew Silverman, President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). "FLEOA is proud to support this critical effort. As a former Special Agent, Congressman Fitzpatrick brings firsthand understanding of the demands, stresses, and personal costs of law enforcement service. His longstanding commitment to the law enforcement community is reflected in this thoughtful, impactful legislation, and we commend his continued leadership in standing up for those who protect our communities every day."

Key Provisions:

• $100,000 Federal Income Exclusion Full-time law enforcement officers with at least 5 years of service can exclude the first $100,000 of their ordinary income from federal income tax each year.
• Targeted Retention Incentive Incentivizes experienced officers to remain in service beyond the critical 5-year mark-an identified attrition point for departments nationwide.
• Broad Eligibility Definition Applies to officers serving in federal, state, or local law enforcement or corrections roles-including police, probation, parole, corrections, judicial officers, sheriffs and deputies, and school resource officers
• No New Bureaucracy or Spending Programs Delivers direct financial relief through the tax code-without creating new programs or expanding entitlements.

Read the full bill text here.

Background: A PA-1-Born, Service-Driven Mission

Fuel the Force, founded by Christina Nelson in 2022, a constituent of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District, began as a simple gesture of gratitude toward law enforcement.

Prior to Congress, Brian Fitzpatrick served for 15 years as an FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor. He led investigations into corruption, terrorism, and counterintelligence, served alongside U.S. Special Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and directed the FBI's national enforcement efforts on election crimes. He is a graduate of Quantico and recipient of the FBI Director's Award.

Since 2022, Fitzpatrick and Nelson have worked side by side with departments across PA-1 to understand everyday challenges and develop practical, lasting solutions. The Fuel the Force Act is the direct result of that work: a community-built response to a national challenge-rooted in service, shaped by partnership, and guided by experience.

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