Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed four bills in the Committee's jurisdiction:

"I am very proud that the House came together in a bipartisan manner to pass important legislation that will better our criminal justice system. Together, these bills will address inequities in our veterans treatment courts, improve the safety of federal employees serving our nation abroad, and assist first responders who are struggling with lasting impacts of their service, including the brave men and women who responded to the September 11th attacks. I commend the bipartisan work that went into these bills, and I look forward to seeing their advancement."

The House of Representatives passed the following bills: 

H.R. 4035, the Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2021

The Real Justice for Our Veterans Act, introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Chairman Nadler (D-NY), promotes equity and inclusion in our veterans treatment courts, ensures that the most effective rehabilitative treatments are implemented and available to all veterans who need them, and expands access to rehabilitative services to veterans who would otherwise qualify for treatment but who do not have a veterans treatment court in their jurisdiction. The bill was passed by a voice vote.

S. 921, the Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employees Protection Act

The Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employees Protection Act, introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and identical legislation introduced by Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), ensures that individuals who have killed or attempted to kill U.S. federal officers and employees serving abroad can be brought to justice and prosecuted in the United States. The bill was passed by a voice vote.

S. 1502, the Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support (COPS) Counseling Act of 2021

The COPS Counseling Act, introduced by Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), encourages the adoption of law enforcement peer counseling programs across the country and protects the privacy of federal officers as they seek mental health support. The bill was passed by a vote of 424-3 

S. 1511, the Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021

The Protecting America's First Responders Act, introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and identical legislation introduced by Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), expands the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program’s definition of disability so that permanently disabled first responders are able to perform work for therapeutic purposes, work that involves simple tasks, or work that provides special accommodations and still receive benefits. It also provides for retroactive disability benefits to public safety officers who responded to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The bill was passed by 420-3.