Bill · H.R. 1551· House(119-HR-1551)
Protect and Serve Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/25/2025
- Last activity
- 2/25/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- John Rutherford
- Cosponsors
- - 95 - 23
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Protect and Serve Act of 2025 aims to amend title 18 of the United States Code to punish criminal offenses that target law enforcement officers. It establishes new penalties for those who willfully cause serious bodily injury to an officer due to their status. Penalties include imprisonment for up to 10 years, or life imprisonment if death results or if kidnapping or attempted murder occurs. The bill defines specific circumstances that trigger these federal crimes, such as conduct involving interstate commerce or federal property. Additionally, it requires the Attorney General to certify certain conditions before a federal prosecution can proceed.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+7
The bill expands federal jurisdiction and requirements for prosecution in crimes involving law enforcement officers.
Does this change how police departments operate?+5
The bill provides enhanced legal protections and increased criminal penalties for law enforcement officers targeted in the line of duty.
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?+5
The bill increases potential prison sentences for crimes committed against law enforcement officers.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-3
The bill requires federal intervention and certification by the Attorney General for specific crimes that might otherwise be handled by states.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased penalties for violent crimes against officers: Under Section 2(a), individuals who willfully cause serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer could face up to 10 years in prison, while those whose actions result in death, kidnapping, or attempted murder could face life imprisonment.
-
Specific protections for federal law enforcement: Section 2(b)(4) notes that these provisions apply when the victim is a Federal law enforcement officer.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on federal prosecution: Under Section 2(c)(1), no prosecution for these offenses can be undertaken by the United States unless the Attorney General or a designee provides a written certification that the State requested federal jurisdiction or that the prosecution is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform+5Improves Policing Reform+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+7Increase States Rights-3
- 10/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/20/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 2/24/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 2/10/2026
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- 1/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/17/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/15/2025
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 8/5/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/23/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 6/24/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 6/12/2025
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 6/9/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 6/5/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 5/13/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/17/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/31/2025
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- 3/24/2025
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 3/14/2025
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- 3/10/2025
- 17 Cosponsors added.
- 2/25/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mark AmodeiRepublican · Nevada
Stephanie BiceRepublican · Oklahoma
Andy BarrRepublican · Kentucky
Brian BabinRepublican · Texas
Mike BostRepublican · Illinois
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Troy BaldersonRepublican · Ohio
Tim BurchettRepublican · Tennessee
Aaron BeanRepublican · Florida
Robert BresnahanRepublican · Pennsylvania
Ken CalvertRepublican · California
Tom ColeRepublican · Oklahoma
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
J. CorreaDemocrat · California
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Mike CareyRepublican · Ohio
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Jeff CrankRepublican · Colorado
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mario Diaz-BalartRepublican · Florida
Scott DesJarlaisRepublican · Tennessee
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Gabe EvansRepublican · Colorado
Pat FallonRepublican · Texas
Randy FeenstraRepublican · Iowa
Virginia FoxxRepublican · North Carolina
Charles FleischmannRepublican · Tennessee
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Michelle FischbachRepublican · Minnesota
Scott FitzgeraldRepublican · Wisconsin
Scott FranklinRepublican · Florida
Brad FinstadRepublican · Minnesota
Russell FryRepublican · South Carolina
Julie FedorchakRepublican · North Dakota
Brett GuthrieRepublican · Kentucky
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lance GoodenRepublican · Texas
Jared GoldenDemocrat · Maine
Carlos GimenezRepublican · Florida
Tony GonzalesRepublican · Texas
Andrew GarbarinoRepublican · New York
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Laura GillenDemocrat · New York
Adam GrayDemocrat · California
Andy HarrisRepublican · Maryland
Richard HudsonRepublican · North Carolina
Kevin HernRepublican · Oklahoma
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Ashley HinsonRepublican · Iowa
Wesley HuntRepublican · Texas
Abraham HamadehRepublican · Arizona
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
Mark HarrisRepublican · North Carolina
John JoyceRepublican · Pennsylvania
John JamesRepublican · Michigan
Marcy KapturDemocrat · Ohio
Mike KellyRepublican · Pennsylvania
David KustoffRepublican · Tennessee
Young KimRepublican · California
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Kevin KileyIndependent · California
Robert LattaRepublican · Ohio
Darin LaHoodRepublican · Illinois
Julia LetlowRepublican · Louisiana
Laurel LeeRepublican · Florida
Nick LaLotaRepublican · New York
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Nicholas LangworthyRepublican · New York
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Gregory MurphyRepublican · North Carolina
Richard McCormickRepublican · Georgia
Max MillerRepublican · Ohio
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan
Addison McDowellRepublican · North Carolina
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington
Ralph NormanRepublican · South Carolina
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
Jay ObernolteRepublican · California
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire
Jimmy PatronisRepublican · Florida
Mike RogersRepublican · Alabama
Michael RulliRepublican · Ohio
Pete SessionsRepublican · Texas
Christopher SmithRepublican · New Jersey
Michael SimpsonRepublican · Idaho
Adrian SmithRepublican · Nebraska
Elise StefanikRepublican · New York
Mikie SherrillDemocrat · New Jersey
Pete StauberRepublican · Minnesota
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas
Thomas TiffanyRepublican · Wisconsin
Michael TurnerRepublican · Ohio
Glenn ThompsonRepublican · Pennsylvania
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York
Derek TranDemocrat · California
David ValadaoRepublican · California
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey
Beth Van DuyneRepublican · Texas
Derrick Van OrdenRepublican · Wisconsin
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Matt Van EppsRepublican · Tennessee
Tim WalbergRepublican · Michigan
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri
Roger WilliamsRepublican · Texas