Dear Senators Gillibrand and Cruz,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for S. 3897, the “Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act.”
This bill improves the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program, ensuring that the men and women who serve our communities—and their families—receive timely and meaningful support when tragedy strikes. It serves to strengthen accountability and transparency within the PSOB Program by requiring the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to notify claimants promptly if information is missing and to issue benefit determinations within 270 days of receiving a complete claim. If that deadline is missed, interim benefits must be provided, offering critical financial stability to families during periods of uncertainty.
Additionally, expanded reporting requirements, mandatory GAO audits for claims pending more than one year, and subpoena authority for unresponsive agencies will help reduce unnecessary delays and ensure the program operates efficiently and responsibly. It further streamlines death benefit approvals for 9/11 responders and survivors who have already received verified determinations from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund or the World Trade Center Health Program, accelerating assistance to those who have already sacrificed so much. This bill ultimately makes long-overdue improvements to a program so critical to the safety and wellbeing of our officers and their families.
On behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on this important issue. If I can provide any additional information about this bill, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President