Rep. Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement after voting to ensure criminals face severe penalties for harming or murdering police officers, firefighters, or first responders:
“Our law enforcement officers bravely face many threats to protect the safety of citizens and, especially more recently, police and other first responders have become targets. Criminals who target law enforcement officers deserve the severest of consequences. This legislation sends a clear message to our law enforcement communities that we’re on their side and we respect their sacrifice.”
Background
The Thin Blue Line Act, H.R. 115, would amend the federal criminal code to make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer, firefighter, or other first responder an “aggravating” factor in death penalty determinations.