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HR 1690 117th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Assault and harassment offenses Crime victims Criminal procedure and sentencing Law enforcement officers Political movements and philosophies Terrorism Violent crime

Defending our Defenders Act

Introduced: April 16, 2021 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 18, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Mar 9, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 9, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Defending Our Defenders Act

This bill establishes federal criminal offenses involving the murder of federal, state, or local law enforcement officers. Violators are subject to life in prison or death.

The bill sets forth aggravating factors (e.g., intent to ambush or prior history of promoting violence against a law enforcement officer) to be considered in determining whether to impose the death penalty.

What's happening now May 18, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 619 Identical bill Defending Our Defenders Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 27
All 27 Republican 20
R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Feb 1, 2022
Bucshon, Larry
· May 13, 2021
 R
Jackson, Ronny
Texas · May 13, 2021
Garcia, Mike
· May 4, 2021
Jacobs, Chris
· Apr 16, 2021
 R
Babin, Brian
Texas · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Mar 9, 2021
Bishop, Dan
· Mar 9, 2021
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Cammack, Kat
Florida · Mar 9, 2021
Carl, Jerry
· Mar 9, 2021
 R
Garbarino, Andrew R.
New York · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Gooden, Lance
Texas · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Gosar, Paul A.
Arizona · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Guest, Michael
Mississippi · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Higgins, Clay
Louisiana · Mar 9, 2021
Keller, Fred
· Mar 9, 2021
 R
Malliotakis, Nicole
New York · Mar 9, 2021
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Moore, Barry
Alabama · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Newhouse, Dan
Washington · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Stefanik, Elise M.
New York · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Tenney, Claudia
New York · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Valadao, David G.
California · Mar 9, 2021
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Mar 9, 2021
Zeldin, Lee
· Mar 9, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1690: Defending our Defenders Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1690/
MLA
"H.R. 1690: Defending our Defenders Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1690/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1690, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1690/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1690: Defending our Defenders Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1690/)
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