Reps. Troy E. Nehls, Pete Stauber, Clay Higgins, and Gabe Evans’ Op-Ed in the Washington Reporter: House Republicans Back the Blue

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Representatives Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), and Gabe Evans (R-CO-08), penned an op-ed for the Washington Reporter, discussing House Republicans' support for our men and women in blue, and three pieces of legislation the U.S. House of Representatives plans to pass to improve law enforcement officers' lives this week. All four representatives previously served in law enforcement roles before serving in Congress.

Read the op-ed HERE or below:

"This National Police Week, our nation remembers those who bravely served our communities in uniform and who made the ultimate sacrifice upholding the law.

Despite these sacrifices, President Joe Biden and Democrats turned their backs on law enforcement officers across America for the last four years. By allowing millions of illegal immigrants into our country and by passing soft-on-crime policies, the radical Left put local law enforcement officers' lives in danger.

Now, with President Donald Trump in the White House and with Republicans in control of Congress, America's law enforcement can rest assured knowing we will always back the blue.

As former law enforcement officers now serving in Congress, we are dedicated to enacting legislation to better the lives of our fellow officers. This National Police Week, the U.S. House of Representatives plans to pass three significant pieces of legislation to improve officers' lives.

The first is the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act. This bipartisan bill will strengthen protections for law enforcement officers by enhancing data collection on attacks against police. In 2024, of the 342 officer-involved shootings in the line of duty, 50 officers lost their lives. Unfortunately, these numbers don't even account for the number of unreported incidents or those not fully documented. This bill aims to close the reporting gaps and provide a clearer picture of the daily threats officers face.

The next bipartisan bill the House plans to pass during National Police Week is the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Reform Act (LEOSA). The LEOSA Reform Act would extend qualified law enforcement officers' concealed carry privileges beyond the current law. This legislation will allow trained professionals to respond quickly to emergencies in public spaces, improving public safety.

The third is the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. This legislation allows current and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired firearms instead of having them destroyed. It would not only improve the officers' lives and the safety of communities but also eliminate wasteful federal government spending.

These three pieces of legislation are all common-sense solutions to increase public safety and the quality of life of our law enforcement officers. Many law enforcement officer organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, and others have voiced their support for these bills.

But that's not all we're up to. We've already passed numerous measures to help law enforcement officers do their jobs, like the HALT Fentanyl Act and the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act.

The HALT Fentanyl Act would equip law enforcement officials with the power to go after fentanyl traffickers by permanently classifying fentanyl analogs as a Schedule I substance. And the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act would enact harsher penalties for those who evade law enforcement near the border and prevent illegal immigrants who flee Border Patrol from ever being admitted to the United States. Both bills could help prevent future tragedies from happening again.

In case it wasn't clear, the days of lawmakers turning their backs on law enforcement officers are over. House Republicans are working with President Trump to honor and protect those who put their lives on the line.

America's laws are being upheld again.

The Thin Blue Line protects our families and communities. It's only right that we have their backs."