Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Officer John Barnes Act, a critical piece of legislation aimed at ensuring timely support for our nation's law enforcement officers and their families. Named in honor of Officer John Barnes, who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the Santa Fe, Texas shooting tragedy, this bill seeks to address the delays faced by officers and their families in receiving benefits from the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program.

The PSOB Program provides crucial support, including death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, as well as disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. However, despite applying for these benefits, Officer Barnes and his family have experienced an excruciating wait for a determination from the Department of Justice (DOJ) since the 2018 shooting.

The Officer John Barnes Act seeks to address these issues head-on by requiring the DOJ to expedite the processing of claims and establish a clear timeline for benefit determination. By addressing the program's inefficiencies, this legislation will help ensure that the families of our nation’s fallen and injured officers receive the timely support they deserve.

"In America, we back the blue—no ifs, ands, or buts. Our law enforcement officers risk their lives every single day to protect our communities, and when they are injured or fall in the line of duty, they and their families deserve answers, not years of bureaucratic nonsense," said Rep. Weber. "It is downright disrespectful that officers like John Barnes waited for over seven years just to get a simple answer from the federal government. This isn't just inefficiency; it's a disgrace. The Officer John Barnes Act is about holding the system accountable and ensuring our law enforcement heroes get the timely support they've earned without being buried under mountains of red tape."

“Across the country, our nation’s law enforcement officers selflessly serve as the front line of defense for our communities. Every single day, they put their lives on the line for their fellow Americans, and in times of crisis these heroes deserve to access the benefits they have earned without red tape getting in the way,” said Sen. Cruz. “We owe it to our law enforcement officers, like Officers Barnes who has waited for far too long, to eliminate these bureaucratic barriers hindering their access to benefits. I am proud to reintroduce the Officer John Barnes Act to ensure our men and women in blue receive the prompt support they deserve.”

Under the provisions of the Officer John Barnes Act, the DOJ would be mandated to issue a determination on benefit claims within 270 days of receipt, providing much-needed clarity and support to officers and their families during times of crisis.

Read the bill here.

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives: Brian Babin (TX-36), Dan Crenshaw (TX-2), Troy Nehls (TX-22), and Brandon Gill (TX-26)