S.Amdt. 5470

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Cassidy, aims to add a section to bill S. 2 to create the January 6th Law Enforcement Heroes Compensation Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide financial compensation to active duty law enforcement officers, or their personal representatives, who suffered economic loss, noneconomic loss, or death as a result of the attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Key additions and changes include:

• Funding and Administration: It appropriates $100,000,000 to the Fund and requires the Attorney General to appoint a Special Master to manage the claims process and rules.

• Eligibility: Compensation is available to eligible claimants who served in defense of the Capitol and suffered losses, including deaths or suicides reasonably attributable to their service.

• Compensation Details:

  • Payments are capped at $1,000,000 per claimant.
  • Claims for death must be paid the maximum amount.
  • Compensation is reduced by any collateral source of compensation already received.
  • Punitive damages are not allowed.

• Legal Protections and Limits:

  • Eligible claimants have the right to an attorney, though attorney fees are capped at 10 percent of the payment.
  • Decisions made by the Special Master can be appealed to the United States Court of Federal Claims.

• Timeline: The Fund cannot obligate money on or after January 1, 2036, and any remaining balances after that will be transferred to the Department of Justice Judgment Fund.