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119-hr-4310119th Congress

Back the Blue Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

Introduced

Summary

Expand federal crimes and penalties for attacks on law enforcement, judges, and first responders. The bill would create new federal murder and assault offenses, add a death-penalty aggravating factor, limit some habeas relief in related death cases, broaden sworn officers' armed-carry rights in Federal facilities and school zones, create a separate flight-to-avoid-prosecution offense, and fund a DOJ grant program to support community-police relations and officer wellness.

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  • Law enforcement, judges, and first responders: Creates a new killing offense (Sec. 1123) and a separate assault offense with enhanced penalties. Sentences include minimum prison terms of 10 years, and if death results a minimum of 30 years up to life or possible capital punishment.
  • Defendants and postconviction process: Adds a new aggravating factor for death-penalty cases and restricts certain federal habeas corpus relief in state-court death cases involving killings of public safety officers or judges.
  • Officers, prosecutions, and local agencies: Authorizes qualified sworn officers to carry firearms in Federal facilities and school zones and requires the Attorney General to issue implementing regulations within 60 days. It creates a flight-to-avoid-prosecution crime and establishes a DOJ grant program for FY2026–FY2030 funded from specified unobligated DOJ balances to support trust building, training, privacy safeguards, and officer wellness and safety.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Tougher federal penalties for attacking officers

The bill would create new federal crimes for assaulting or killing covered officers and judges, including former officials targeted over their duties. Assault penalties would range from up to 1 year to at least 20 years, depending on injury and weapon use. Killing or trying to kill a covered official would carry at least 10 years to life; if a death results, at least 30 years or possibly the death penalty. Crossing state or national borders to avoid prosecution for such killings would add at least 10 years. The Attorney General would need to certify assault cases for federal prosecution, and most non‑death cases would have a 7-year limit to file charges.

Grants to improve police-community trust

The government would fund a DOJ grant program in fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Up to $20 million each year could support training, transparency, community partnerships, and officer wellness. Money would come from unused DOJ administration funds and Edward Byrne program funds. Grants could go to state, local, or tribal agencies and qualified nonprofits.

Wider carry rights for qualified officers

Qualified sworn and retired officers would be allowed to carry or possess firearms in some federal buildings and court grounds. They could deposit firearms in secure storage areas at those sites. The bill would also update school-zone and facility rules for qualified officers and cover magazines. The Attorney General would issue rules within 60 days of enactment.

Tighter death penalty rules in officer killings

The bill would add a new aggravating factor for death-penalty cases when someone kills or tries to kill first responders, officers, or justice officials. It would also limit federal habeas review in state death cases that involve killings of officers or judges. Courts would face strict time limits and could not re-hear sentencing claims already decided by the state. These changes would apply to cases pending on or after enactment, with a narrow exception for some earlier claims.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

NE • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 10/31/2025

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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