H.R. 1690 · 117th Congress · 2021–2022
Defending our Defenders Act
H.R. 1690 in the 117th Congress (2021–2022) was introduced on Mar 9, 2021, sponsored by Yvette Herrell with 28 co-sponsors.
During the 117th Congress (2021–2022), Joe Biden was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.
- Status
- Introduced
- Introduced
- Mar 9, 2021
- Co-sponsors
- 28
- Policy area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
What it does
Defending Our Defenders Act This bill establishes federal criminal offenses involving the murder of federal, state, or local law enforcement officers. Violators are subject to life in prison or death. The bill sets forth aggravating factors (e.g., intent to ambush or prior history of promoting violence against a law enforcement officer) to be considered in determining whether to impose the death penalty.
Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
Sponsor
Yvette Herrell (R-NM). Co-sponsors: 28 Republicans.
Where it stands
- IntroducedMar 9, 2021
- Passed the House—
- Passed the Senate—
- Sent to the President—
- Became law—
Latest action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (May 18, 2021)
More bills from Yvette Herrell in the 117th Congress
Other Crime and Law Enforcement bills in the 117th Congress
- H.R. 2630: Extending Temporary Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act
- S. 937: COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
- H.R. 1652: VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021
- H.R. 1002: DEBAR Act of 2021
- H.R. 1899: Ensuring Compliance Against Drug Diversion Act of 2021
- S. 921: Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employees Protection Act
- S. 1502: COPS Counseling Act
- S. 1511: Protecting America’s First Responders Act of 2021
- S. 854: Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021
- H.R. 55: Emmett Till Antilynching Act
Committees
- Judiciary Committee
More
From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.
Cite or embed this page
Capitol Receipts, “H.R. 1690 (117th Congress): Defending our Defenders Act,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/117-hr-1690/defending-our-defenders-act (accessed 2026-10-16).