Every day our law enforcement officers all across America put on the badge and get to work to keep our communities safe and protect Americans.  These brave men and women make sacrifices – both emotional and physical – in the line of duty.  That is why every May our nation dedicates a week to honor the service of these individuals, specifically those heroes who have paid the ultimate price.  Last week commemorated the 25^th National Police Week.  To recognize the week, the House passed several pieces of legislation to strengthen and improve our law enforcement.

One of the bills passed was H.R. 3209, the Recovering Missing Children Act, which I was proud to cosponsor.  This legislation would amend the IRS code to allow tax return information to be given to officers and employees of law enforcement agencies who directly partner with federal investigations of missing or exploited child cases.  H.R. 3209 would allow the head of a federal agency (or their designee) to disclose returns and return information without a court order to officers and employees of state or local law enforcement agencies who are part of a team, and personally and directly engaged, with the federal agency investigating a missing or exploited child case.  This legislation helps law enforcement agencies be better prepared to solve cases of missing children.

Another bill was S.125, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2015, which is now signed into law.  This legislation will keep our officers safe by ensuring that officers are protected with bulletproof vests, even if their communities do not have access to the appropriate funds. This bill reauthorizes the grant to provide that protection for the officers while they work to protect us. 

We must not forget that police work is a heroic calling, and the vast majority of police officers are real heroes.  We also honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the past year, like Police Officer Sonny Kim and Deputy Sheriff Michael Brandle of Ohio.  I am thankful for all first responders who risk their lives daily to protect our communities and keep Ohio safe. 

If you need any additional information, please visit my website at renacci.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-3876, Wadsworth office: (330) 334-0040, or Parma office: (440) 882-6779. I also encourage you to subscribe to my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages to get updates on my work in Washington and the 16th District.