[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 28 (Thursday, February 16, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1306-S1307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. Portman):
  S. 424. A bill to amend title 5, United Stated 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, I rise today to reintroduce the Law 
Enforcement Officers' Equity Act. This good-government bill will 
provide Federal law enforcement officers with the Federal benefits they 
deserve for their service. I thank Senator Rob Portman for being an 
original cosponsor of this bill.
  There is perhaps no harder job in the United States than that of law 
enforcement officers. Each day, brave men and women work under 
tremendously stressful conditions to keep our communities safe. From 
apprehending violent criminals to arresting drug kingpins, these brave 
men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for a higher 
cause. We owe them our sincerest gratitude for their service.
  Due to the high level of training required for their job and the 
ever-present danger in their profession, Congress determined that 
Federal law enforcement officers should receive higher salaries and 
enhanced benefits compared to other Federal employees. Unfortunately, 
due to a technical error,

[[Page S1307]]

nearly 30,000 Federal law enforcement officers classified as G5-0083 
police officers do not receive enhanced benefits under the United 
States Code. As a result, certain officers who work for Federal 
agencies--such as the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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 
responsibilities. It makes no sense that postal police officers or any 
other Federal law enforcement officers receive less benefits even 
though they have the similar duties and functions as other law 
enforcement officers.
  The Law Enforcement Officers' Equity Act would fill in this gap in 
the law and expand the number of Federal law enforcement officers who 
can receive benefits. The bill would expand the definition of ``law 
enforcement officer'' for retirement purposes to include all Federal 
law enforcement officers. The change would grant law enforcement 
officer status to the following individuals: employees who are 
authorized to carry a firearm and whose duties include the 
investigation 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 currently classified properly 
under Federal law as law
  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 law enforcement groups, including 
the Fraternal Order of police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers' 
Association, and the Law Enforcement Action Network.
  Fundamental fairness demands that we close this loophole in Federal 
law and give all Federal law enforcement officers the retirement 
benefits they deserve-Trask my colleagues to support the Law 
Enforcement Officers' Equity Act, and I urge its speedy passage.
                                 ______