Monday, May 19th, 2025

Law Enforcement: The House passed several bills centered around law enforcement: 

• Support for Local Law Enforcement:  The House passed H.Con.Res.30, which expresses support for local law enforcement officers, recognizing their important role in maintaining public safety. The bill also includes language condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies. 
• Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase: H.R.2255 (234-182) would require the General Services Administration to establish a program that allows active and retired federal law enforcement officers to purchase the firearm that was issued to them by their federal agency when the firearm is scheduled to be retired or is declared surplus. Under the measure, the firearm must be sold at its "salvage value," taking into account the age and condition of the weapon.
• Law Enforcement Officer Safety: H.R.2243 (229-193) would expand the authority of active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms and ammunition across state lines and into certain areas, including into school zones, national parks, certain federal facilities that are open to the public, state, local or private property that is open to the public, and onto all public modes of transportation except airlines.
• Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data: H.R.2240 would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report to Congress about violent attacks on law enforcement officers, including the responses of federal, state, and local governments to such attacks and how to improve the reporting of those attacks. The bill would also require the DOJ to report to Congress on how traumatic incidents affect the mental health and wellness of officers.

Countering Antisemitism: The House passed H.Res.352, which calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to condemn and counter all acts of antisemitism. It also calls on the executive branch and state and local governments to counter antisemitism, along with educating the public about the contributions of the Jewish American community. 

 El Salvador's Human Rights Practices: The Senate failed to advance S.Res.195 (45-50), which would have forced the Trump administration to produce a report on El Salvador’s human rights practices. It would also force administration officials to report to Congress about what steps it is taking to comply with courts that have ruled on the deportations.