Sens. Blunt & Coons, Reps. Pascrell & Rutherford's National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act Headed to President's Desk

Statement

Today, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Chris Coons (Del.), co-chairs of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, and U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell (N.J.) and John Rutherford (Fla.), co-chairs of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, announced that their National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act is on its way to the president's desk. The bipartisan legislation authorizes the Treasury Department to mint coins to commemorate the opening of the National Law Enforcement Museum. The museum is dedicated to highlighting and honoring past, present, and future law enforcement officers.

"We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who keep our communities safe," said Blunt. "This commemorative coin will help celebrate and honor law enforcement officers and their families. I hope more Americans will visit the museum and gain a deeper appreciation for the countless sacrifices law enforcement officers make every day. As a co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I'm proud this bill garnered widespread bipartisan support and look forward to seeing it signed into law."

"The women and men of law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities," said Coons. "I was proud to work with my colleagues to pass the National Law Enforcement Commemorative Coin Act to recognize the achievements and sacrifices of law enforcement from Delaware and across the country."

"After we passed our bulletproof vest legislation into law last year, we're continuing our commitment to law enforcement with the passage of this bill," said Pascrell. "I thank my fellow Law Enforcement Caucus co-chair, Rep. John Rutherford, for his efforts to move this bipartisan bill forward. Our legislation extends our shared gratitude for the protectors of our communities and honors the National Law Enforcement Museum, a monument to our nation's men and women in uniform. God bless them."

"By passing this bill, we help tell the story of our law enforcement officers and the work they do on a daily basis to keep our communities safe," said Rutherford. "Thank you to Senator Blunt and Senator Coons for their leadership in the Senate and to Congressman Pascrell, my fellow co-chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, for working with me to introduce and pass this bill in the House. I now look forward to President Trump signing this important measure into law, so the National Law Enforcement Museum and our officers around the country can receive the recognition and support they so deserve."

The coin comes at no cost to taxpayers and the Treasury Department will be reimbursed for the costs of issuing the coins. Proceeds from the coin will support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's educational and outreach programs.

The museum opened last year and is located in Washington, D.C.

The bill is supported by many of the nation's top law enforcement advocacy groups, including the Concerns of Police Survivors, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the International Union of Police Associations, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Black Police Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs' Association, the National Troopers Coalition, the Police Executive Research Forum, the Police Foundation, the Police Unity Tour, and the United Federation of Police Officers.

In addition to Blunt and Coons, the bill is cosponsored by 68 senators; in addition to Pascrell and Rutherford, the bill is cosponsored by 303 representatives.