Flake-backed bill would give officers wounded in Scalise shooting money
Jul 20, 2017, 7:46 PM
(AP Photos)
(AP Photos)
PHOENIX — Two Capitol Police officers who were wounded in the shooting of Majority Whip Steve Scalise would be eligible to receive money for their care under a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and others on Thursday.
“Special agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey had our backs on that baseball field, and now we have theirs,” Flake said in a press release. “It’s a privilege to assist them in their recovery and to reaffirm Congress’ support for brave men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police.”
The bill, entitled the Wounded Officers Recovery Act, would alter the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund so any Capitol Police officer injured in the line of duty would be able to receive financial help.
The current fund only pays families of officers who were killed on the job.
The money for the officers was donated to the victims of the Scalise shooting.
“Capitol Police officers severely wounded in the line of duty, including those who saved lives at last month’s shooting in Virginia, should be eligible for United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund assistance, and I’m honored to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation,” another of the bill’s sponsors, U.S Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), said in the same release.
A similar bill was introduced in the House on Wednesday.
