Thin Blue Line Act

Senate Bill

S. 83

119th Congress

Thin Blue Line Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 14, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Ted Cruz

Senator

Republican

TX

Cosponsors

15

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary

This bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors that can be considered in federal death penalty cases to include the killing or targeting of law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders. Aggravating factors are circumstances that can make a defendant eligible for the death penalty or influence sentencing toward capital punishment. By adding first responder status as an aggravating factor, the bill aims to provide enhanced protection and justice for those who serve in public safety roles.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

SponsorTed Cruz (R-TX)

Introduced1/14/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Thin Blue Line Act

This bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors that can be considered in federal death penalty cases to include the killing or targeting of law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders. Aggravating factors are circumstances th

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors that can be considered in federal death penalty cases to include the killing or targeting of law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders. Aggravating factors are circumstances that can make a defendant eligible for the death penalty or influence sentencing toward capital punishment. By adding first responder status as an aggravating factor, the bill aims to provide enhanced protection and justice for those who serve in public safety roles.

Bill Number: 83
Sponsor: Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Introduced: 1/14/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Policy Area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Thin Blue Line Act
Bill Number: 83
Sponsor: Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced: 1/14/2025
Summary: This bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors that can be considered in federal death penalty cases to include the killing or targeting of law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders. Aggravating factors are circumstances that can make a defendant eligible for the

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors that can be considered in federal death penalty cases to include the killing or targeting of law enforcement officers, firefighters, or other first responders. Aggravating factors are circumstances that can make a defendant eligible for the death penalty or influence sentencing toward capital punishment. By adding first responder status as an aggravating factor, the bill aims to provide enhanced protection and justice for those who serve in public safety roles.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Thin Blue Line Act This bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Adds killing first responders as aggravating factor in death penalty cases
Covers law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders
Expands existing list of statutory aggravating factors
Aims to provide enhanced deterrence for attacks on public safety personnel
Strengthens potential penalties for targeting those who protect communities

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For law enforcement: Recognition of heightened risks and enhanced legal protections. For firefighters and EMS: Inclusion in enhanced protection alongside police. For defendants: Additional factor that could result in death penalty eligibility. For prosecutors: New tool for seeking capital punishment in first responder cases. For criminal justice reform advocates: Concerns about expanding death penalty applicability.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Subjects

Crime victims

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Fires

First responders and emergency personnel

Health personnel

Law enforcement officers

Violent crime

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

83, 119th Congress (2025). "Thin Blue Line Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-83

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