Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee - Executive Business Meeting

Hearing

Today the Committee is turning to two important bills to support the brave men and women who
keep our communities safe. I thank Chairman Grassley for listing both the National Blue Alert
Act and the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act. I also want to
recognize and thank Senator Graham for being the lead Republican cosponsor of both bills.
Protecting law enforcement should not be a partisan issue.

Our Nation needs no additional reminders of the dangers faced by law enforcement. The
bulletproof vest program protects our officers, providing nearly 1.2 million of them with lifesaving
vests since 1998. In Vermont, nearly 4400 vests have been purchased through this
program. The bill before us provides a five year reauthorization for the program and contains a
number of improvements, such as Senator Feinstein's request to provide a grant incentive for
agencies to provide uniquely fitted vests for female officers and others. I have met many police
officers who are living today because of a bulletproof vest, and they will attest to the fact that the
vests provided through this program are worth every penny.

With the Budget Committee Chairman signaling that programs with expired authorizations may
face the chopping block, it is imperative that we get this bulletproof vest bill reauthorized
now. Unfortunately my efforts last Congress were blocked by a single Republican Senator. This
year, I am hopeful that these bills to protect those who protect us can be reported today, and pass
the Senate without further delay.

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