Every day, law enforcement officials across the country put their lives on the line to enforce the rule of law and serve justice around our communities. Last year, 135 police officers lost their lives in the line of duty, including 9 in the state of Florida alone.

This National Police Week, we honor those fallen heroes and recognize the service of police officers in our communities. We passed a series of bills to support our law enforcement community’s efforts.

I hope you will also take this opportunity to show the brave men and women around #FL18 how much you appreciate their efforts to keep our communities safe.

Here are some of the bills we passed this week:

• H.R. 5698 - Protect and Serve Act of 2018 — establishes federal penalties for violent crimes deliberately targeting federal, state, and local law enforcement.
• H.Res. 285 – Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that Congress and the President should empower the creation of police and community alliances designed to enhance and improve communication and collaboration between members of the law enforcement community and the public they serve.
• H.R. 5242 - School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2018 — ensures that public schools have the necessary resources and trained security guards to protect our children by identifying where assets are most needed. I am a proud cosponsor this bill.
• H.R. 4854 - Justice Served Act of 2018 — provides funds for grants to ensure that state and local law enforcement have the capacity to prosecute crimes cleared through DNA.
  
• H.R. 1417 - National Law Enforcement Museum Exhibits Act  — expands the Museum's ability to acquire and display firearms that will enhance the purpose of the museum.
• H.R. 613 - Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act of 2017— improves personal safety of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) officers by enhancing secured storage areas for firearms.