YourVoice.Now Summary
Criminal Justice & Due ProcessAttacking police, firefighters, or court workers would become a federal crime — 10 years to life for killing one.
Criminal Justice & Due Process
Killing, trying to kill, or plotting to kill a current or former officer would carry at least 10 years in federal prison. If the officer dies, the minimum is 30 years.
When an officer is killed, a court could choose a death sentence instead of prison. This applies to judges, court staff, police, firefighters, and ambulance crews.
The minimum depends on the harm: 2 years for an injury, 5 for a substantial one, and 10 for a serious one. Using a deadly weapon means at least 20 years.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission would have to raise its sentencing rules by at least 5 levels. This applies when a jury finds the attacker lured the officer to a place to attack them.
Federal prosecutors could charge an attack on a state or local officer if the agency gets federal money. A weapon that crossed state lines would also be enough.
More about this bill
Attacking a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, or court worker could become a federal crime with long minimum prison terms. Killing or trying to kill one would bring at least 10 years, up to life. If the officer dies, the sentence would be at least 30 years, life, or death. Assault would bring 2 to 20 years or more, based on how badly the person is hurt. Using a deadly weapon in an assault would mean at least 20 years. An assault with no injury would bring up to 1 year. The law would cover current and former workers, on duty or targeted for past work. That includes volunteer firefighters, chaplains, prosecutors, and court reporters. It also covers jail, probation, and parole officers. Federal charges would apply when the case crosses state lines or touches interstate trade. They would also apply when the weapon crossed state lines, or when the officer's agency gets federal money. Sentencing rules would add extra time when an attacker lures an officer into a trap.
Congressional Summary
Protect Our Heroes Act of 2025 This bill establishes new criminal offenses for killing or assaulting (or attempting to kill or assault or conspiring to kill) a current or former judicial officer or public safety officer in circumstances that affect interstate commerce while the officer is engaged in official duties or on account of past performance of official duties. A violation is subject to criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-05-14
- Date Added
- 2026-10-02
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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