President Donald Trump Celebrates Senate's Historic Vote to Support Fallen Law Enforcement Families

In a major victory for law enforcement and bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. Senate passed the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act by unanimous consent, a bill designed to ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers who are killed in retaliation for their service receive the federal benefits they deserve.

The bill, which now heads to the House of Representatives for a vote, marks a significant step forward for pro-police legislation and the growing momentum behind supporting those who put their lives on the line in service to the country.

The passage of the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act was celebrated as a huge win for President Donald Trump, who has been a staunch supporter of law enforcement throughout his career.

The bill was introduced by Nevada Democrat Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, and it seeks to close a critical gap in the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program.

The law previously denied benefits to families of retired officers killed in the line of duty simply because they had already retired from active service.

The legislation is named after Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, a Korean War veteran and law enforcement officer who served for 55 years, retiring as the police chief of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, in 2009.

On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically gunned down in his driveway by a man he had arrested a decade earlier. The murder was later determined to be an act of retaliation for his service as a police officer, but despite this, Chief Proffitt’s family was denied federal benefits due to his retirement status.

During the debate on the Senate floor, Sen. Cortez Masto passionately spoke about the injustice of the situation. “Even though his murder was a direct retaliation for his service in uniform, Chief Proffitt’s family was denied the benefits they deserved simply because he had already retired,” she said. “To me, that is unacceptable. And I know my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree.”

This legislation is a part of a broader effort to increase support for law enforcement officers and their families, particularly those who face dangers even after they retire from active duty.

The bill is a significant step toward ensuring that the families of fallen officers are taken care of, regardless of whether their loved one was still on the job at the time of their death.

The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act was one of several bills introduced by Sen. Cortez Masto aimed at supporting law enforcement officers, but it was the only one to pass the Senate.

The other bills, which were part of a broader package of pro-police legislation, faced stiff opposition and were ultimately blocked. These bills included the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act, which would provide local governments with training and tools to protect officers from dangerous substances, as well as the Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025, which aimed to address mental health issues facing police officers.

Also included in the package were the PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025, designed to modernize and reauthorize the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, and the Strong Communities Act of 2025, which sought to incentivize recruits to serve in the neighborhoods where they live.

The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act, which would have supported the hiring of retired officers for civilian law enforcement tasks, was also part of the broader package.

Despite the wide support for these measures among law enforcement advocacy groups and some members of Congress, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., objected to the bills, which led to their failure in the Senate.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, accused Booker of blocking the bills in an effort to force federal dollars to sanctuary cities that violate federal immigration law. This created a partisan divide that stalled the passage of important measures to support law enforcement officers and address their concerns.

Sen. Cortez Masto, who has long been an advocate for law enforcement, was disappointed by the outcome. As a former Nevada law enforcement officer, she has been dedicated to improving police services and addressing issues such as law enforcement suicide and mental health challenges.

She has authored several bipartisan bills on these topics, many of which have been signed into law by presidents from both political parties. She also authored the BADGES for Native Communities Act, which seeks to improve recruitment and retention within the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Following the passage of the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., praised the legislation and urged swift action in the House. “We have an obligation to care for those who pay the ultimate price while serving in the line of duty, even after they have retired,” he said.

“At a time when partisan gridlock is grinding Congress to a halt, I’m encouraged that both parties came together to pass this commonsense legislation honoring our fallen heroes.”

Goldman emphasized the importance of passing the bill swiftly in the House, calling on Republican leadership to bring it to the floor in September. “I urge Republican leadership to bring this bill to the House Floor and ensure that any law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty receive the benefits they deserve—regardless of retirement status,” Goldman said. The bill’s passage would ensure that no officer’s service is forgotten, and that their families are taken care of even after they have retired.

The bipartisan cooperation behind the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act stands in stark contrast to the gridlock that often plagues Congress. At a time when many Americans are frustrated with the dysfunction in Washington, the passage of this bill demonstrates that, at least on certain issues, lawmakers can put aside their differences and work together for the greater good.

As the legislation moves to the House, it will be interesting to see whether the partisan divide over law enforcement issues will continue to block progress. The bills blocked by Sen. Booker were part of a broader effort to address the challenges facing law enforcement officers across the country, and there is still strong support for these measures among many lawmakers and advocacy groups. However, the failure of these bills to pass the Senate highlights the challenges in gaining full bipartisan support for pro-police legislation.

Despite these challenges, the passage of the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act is a significant step forward for law enforcement and the families of fallen officers. It is a reminder that even in a divided political landscape, there are issues on which both parties can find common ground.

The bill’s passage also underscores the importance of supporting those who risk everything to protect and serve their communities, even after their careers come to an end.

In the coming months, lawmakers in the House will have the opportunity to build on this momentum and pass additional measures that support law enforcement officers and their families.

While the path forward may not always be smooth, the bipartisan passage of the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act offers hope that, despite political polarization, Congress can still come together to honor those who have given their lives in service to the nation.

With President Trump continuing to advocate for pro-police policies and working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, the next steps in this legislative effort will be closely watched.

The momentum behind the pro-police agenda is only growing, and this victory in the Senate represents a key moment in that push. Lawmakers and the American people are now looking to the House to take up the mantle and ensure that the families of fallen officers receive the justice and support they deserve.

As this legislative journey continues, the hope is that Congress will be able to pass more pro-law enforcement bills and take meaningful steps toward addressing the needs of officers who serve in one of the most dangerous and demanding professions in the country.

The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act is a step in the right direction, but there is much more work to be done to ensure that law enforcement officers and their families are fully supported.