Subject: Government, Homeland Security: Dear Colleague: In The Event of a Shutdown: Secure Compensation for Federal Law Enforcement
In The Event of a
Shutdown: Secure Compensation for Federal Law Enforcement
From: The Honorable Michael G. Fitzpatrick
S
Bill: H.R. 1122
Date: 9/18/2015
Cosponsors: Keating, Bishop and Barletta
The SHIELD Act will ensure compensation for our Armed Service members and critical federal law enforcement
personnel int he case of an interruption
of Congressionally-
appropriated funds, during periods of a
government shutdown or in the event of reaching the debt ceiling.
In the event of a government
shutdown many federal officers will
be furloughed and forced
to stay home, creating a perilous lapse
in law enforcement and homeland security protection. If we were to experience another government shutdown, H.R. 1122 would ensure priority payment of the pay and allowances of members of the Armed Forces and critical law enforcement officers employed by federal agencies. Crime will not pause during a federal shutdown.This bill eliminates the risk of agencies placing federal officers
on furlough and ensures we maintain a law enforcement
presence.
Law enforcement
deemed critical by the legislation
is defined as:
1. Those who
have statutory authority to make arrests
or apprehensions;
2. Who are authorized by the agency of the employee to
carry firearms; and
3. Whose duties include performing emergency work involving the safety of human
life or the protection of property
In our most difficult hours, we rely on
members of our federal law enforcement community and our Armed Services for the protection of our freedom. No service member or critical law enforcement
officer protecting the United States at home or abroad should have to worry about
their paycheck in the event of a government shutdown.The SHIELD Act pledges
to protect those who protect us, even in times
of fiscal uncertainty.
Jon Adler, the President of the Federal Law Enforcement
Officers Association (FLEOA), had
this to say regarding the legislation:
"Under the SHIELD
Act, the President and federal agencies would
be required to prioritize the payment of pay and allowances to members of the Armed Forces and federal law enforcement officers in the event of a gap in funding. In so doing, it recognizes the importance of our military and
law enforcement in guaranteeing our safety and
security, even in times of fiscal
uncertainty.
On behalf of the membership
of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers
Association, thank you again for championing this important legislation and for your commitment to
our nation’s federal law enforcement officers."
Please join
me in supporting those who protect
us, as
an original cosponsor. For more information, please contact Chris Matarangas at chris.matarangas@mail.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Mike Fitzpatrick William R. Keating
Member of Congress Member of Congress