Bill > HR1690

This bill, the Defending our Defenders Act, amends Title 18 of the United States Code to make the murder of a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer a crime punishable by life in prison or death. The bill outlines specific aggravating factors that the jury or court must consider when determining whether to impose a death sentence, including if the defendant committed the offense by ambush, has a history of advocating or promoting violence against law enforcement, is affiliated with certain organizations, or committed the offense during an organized anti-law enforcement activity. The bill also includes a rule of construction to clarify that it does not prevent states, territories, or the District of Columbia from exercising jurisdiction over these offenses or deprive state and local law enforcement agencies of responsibility for prosecuting related violations of state or local law.