[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2977-S2978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Ms. Mikulski):
  S. 2946. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to include 
certain Federal positions within the definition of law enforcement 
officer for retirement purposes, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, today I wish to introduce the Law 
Enforcement Officers' Equity Act, a common sense bill that would fix a 
loophole in Federal law that denies many Federal law enforcement 
officers Federal benefits. This week, as our Nation pauses to honor the 
sacrifices and services of our men and women in law enforcement, I am 
glad to introduce legislation to accord them with the benefits they so 
deeply deserve.
  This legislation has been introduced in past Congresses by my friend 
and colleague, Senator Barbara Mikulski. I am grateful to her for 
allowing me to introduce this bill, and I am glad to have her support 
as an original cosponsor of this legislation.
  Law enforcement officers have one of the toughest jobs in America. 
Twenty-four hours a day and 365 days a year, they work to keep our 
communities safe and uphold the rule of law. During my tenure as mayor 
of Newark, I spent countless hours with police officers patrolling the 
streets, and I saw firsthand how difficult and dangerous their jobs can 
be. These brave men and women apprehend violent criminals and arrest 
drug kingpins, which carries with it immense pressure and stress.
  The legislation I am introducing today would fix a loophole in our 
Federal law. Due to the level of training required and greater danger 
present in their profession, Congress determined years ago that 
individuals in Federal law enforcement should receive higher salaries 
and enhanced retirement benefits compared to other Federal employees. 
Unfortunately, approximately 30,000 Federal law enforcement officers 
are classified in a way that precludes them for receiving the enhanced 
retirement benefits they deserve.
  As a result of this loophole, certain officers who work for Federal 
agencies--such as the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Mint, National Institute of Health, 
and many more--receive lower pensions as compared to other law 
enforcement officers with similar duties and responsibilities. This 
problem must be fixed. Correcting this error is not only dictated by 
fairness, but it is a matter of public safety because of the value of 
recruiting and retaining experienced and highly trained law enforcement 
officers is immeasurable.
  The Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act would expand the definition 
of ``law enforcement office'' for retirement purposes to include all 
Federal law enforcement officers. The change would grant law 
enforcement officer status to the follow individuals: employees who are 
authorized to carry a firearm and whose duties include the 
investigation and/or apprehension of suspected criminals; employees of 
the Internal Revenue Service whose duties are primarily the collection 
of delinquent taxes and securing delinquent returns; employees of the 
U.S Postal Inspection Service; and employees of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs who are Department police offices. These officers face 
the same risks and challenges as the men and women currenly classified 
properly under Federal law as law enforcement officers, and they 
deserve the same benefits.
  The Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act would allow incumbent law 
enforcement officers' Federal service after the enactment of the act to 
be considered service performed as a law enforcement officer for 
retirement purposes.
  This legislation has the support of numerous law enforcement groups, 
including the Fraternal Order of Police, Postal Police Officers 
Association, National Association of Police Officers, the Federal Law 
Enforcement Officers' Association, and the National Treasury Employees 
Union.
  According to the Postal Police Officers Association, ``These officers 
face the same risks and challenges as their federal law enforcement 
colleagues who currently receive [law enforcement officer] retirement 
status. This bill will ensure that officers across the country, who put 
their lives on the line each and every day to protect us, earn the 
benefits that they deserve.''
  And the National Association of Police Organizations has said, ``This 
bill

[[Page S2978]]

will ensure that officers across the country, who put their lives on 
the line each and every day to protect us, earn the benefits that they 
deserve.''
  Fundamental fairness demands that we close this loophole in Federal 
law and give all Federal law enforcement officers the retirement 
benefits they deserve. I ask my colleagues to support the Law 
Enforcement Officers' Equity Act, and I urge its speedy passage.

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