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S 1480 116th Congress Senate Crime and Law Enforcement Assault and harassment offenses Civil actions and liability Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal procedure and sentencing Detention of persons Firearms and explosives Fires First responders and emergency personnel Judges Law enforcement administration and funding Law enforcement officers Legal fees and court costs Violent crime Worker safety and health

Back the Blue Act of 2019

Introduced: May 15, 2019 Introduced by: Cornyn, John Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 15, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2888-2889)
May 15, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Back the Blue Act of 2019

This bill establishes new criminal offenses for killing, assaulting, and fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing a judge, law enforcement officer, or public safety officer.

Additionally, the bill

  • expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, judge, prosecutor, or firefighter or other first responder;
  • broadens the authority of federal law enforcement officers to carry firearms;
  • limits federal court review of challenges to state court convictions for killing a public safety officer or judge; and
  • limits the recovery of compensatory damages and prohibits the recovery of attorney's fees by an individual for a violation of rights that occurred as a result of (or in the course of) conduct that constitutes a felony or crime of violence.

Finally, it directs the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies and nongovernmental organizations to promote trust and improve relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

What's happening now May 15, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2888-2889)

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5395 Identical bill Back the Blue Act of 2019
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Republican 11
R
Lankford, James
Oklahoma · Sep 29, 2020
 R
Barrasso, John
Wyoming · May 15, 2019
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · May 15, 2019
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · May 15, 2019
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · May 15, 2019
 R
Cassidy, Bill
Louisiana · May 15, 2019
 R
Cruz, Ted
Texas · May 15, 2019
 R
Daines, Steve
Montana · May 15, 2019
 R
Fischer, Deb
Nebraska · May 15, 2019
 R
Hyde-Smith, Cindy
Mississippi · May 15, 2019
 R
Tillis, Thomas
North Carolina · May 15, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1480: Back the Blue Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1480/
MLA
"S. 1480: Back the Blue Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1480/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1480, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1480/.
Markdown link
[S. 1480: Back the Blue Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1480/)
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