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HR378119th Congress

Thin Blue Line Act

Sponsored By: Representative Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]

Introduced

Summary

Would add a federal aggravating factor that can increase the chance of a death sentence when the victim is a law enforcement officer or other first responder. It would apply when the victim was performing official duties, was targeted because of those duties, or was killed because of their status as a public official or employee.

Show full summary
  • Law enforcement and first responders: Covers people authorized to prevent, detain, investigate, prosecute, incarcerate, apprehend, or arrest, and also includes firefighters and other first responders.
  • Prosecutors and defendants in federal capital cases: Gives prosecutors an additional statutory basis to seek the death penalty in qualifying killings or targeting.
  • Sentencing process: Adds an aggravating factor that judges and juries would consider during capital sentencing when the victim fits the bill's definitions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger penalties for killing officers

If enacted, this bill would add a new aggravating factor for federal death-penalty cases. Prosecutors would be able to use it when a defendant killed or tried to kill someone authorized to enforce the law, a firefighter, or another first responder. It would apply if the victim was on duty, was targeted for doing their job, or was killed because they were a public official or employee. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 1/14/2025

  • Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2025

  • Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2025

  • Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2025

  • Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2025

  • Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

    KY • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]

    NV • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2025

  • Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2025

  • Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 8/15/2025

  • Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

  • Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 10/14/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 11/7/2025

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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