U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and 35 other Senate Republicans in introducing the Back the Blue Act, a bill designed to increase penalties for those who target law enforcement officers and provide new protections for officers.
Senator Cruz stated, “Law enforcement officers dutifully and heroically protect our communities across Texas and across the country. We cannot and should not tolerate criminals who kill or attempt to kill law enforcement officers. They should face the full force of the law. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of the Back the Blue Act, and I urge Congress to pass this bill without delay.”
Senator Cornyn added, “Our law enforcement officers bravely risk their lives daily to protect our communities, and anyone who targets them should be met with the full force of the law, including the death penalty. America was built on the principles of law and order, and this legislation sends a clear message that targeted attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated, dangerous criminals will be held accountable, and our men and women in blue have our full and unwavering support.”
The bill is cosponsored by several Republican senators from across the country. Organizations supporting this legislation include the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.
The Back the Blue Act proposes measures such as strengthening existing laws protecting police officers, creating an aggravating factor for federal death penalty prosecutions involving crimes against officers, limiting federal habeas relief for murders of law enforcement personnel, restricting recovery of certain damages for individuals engaged in felonies, and expanding self-defense rights for police.
Senators Cruz and Cornyn previously introduced similar versions of this act in 2016 and 2023.
Ted Cruz has been reelected multiple times as U.S. Senator from Texas. In 2024 he won against Colin Allred with 53.1% of votes; in 2018 he defeated Beto O'Rourke with 50.9%; in 2012 he won over Paul Sadler with 56.5%.
