The Congresswoman Received This Award to Recognize Her Bipartisan Efforts to Protect the Social Security Benefits of Retired Law Enforcement Officers, Expand Access to Pre-Tax Health & Long-Term Care Insurance Benefits, Help Law Enforcement Crack Down on Deadly Fentanyl

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During National Police Week, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger received an award from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) recognizing her outstanding support of American law enforcement.

NAPO chose Spanberger to receive this award because of her commitment to working in Congress to connect federal law enforcement officers with the full benefits they deserve, including by leading her bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — two provisions of the Social Security Act that unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of Americans who have devoted much of their careers to public service. Additionally, she was given this award in recognition of her bipartisan legislation — which President Biden signed into law — to ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ensure parity for all retired police officers and provide access to a key tax benefit that helps them cover their health insurance premiums. Spanberger also received this recognition in response to her efforts to help state and local law enforcement detect fentanyl and help law enforcement crack down on the online sale of counterfeit pills and illicit drugs laced with fentanyl.

“Growing up in a law enforcement household both inspired my decision to start my career as a federal agent and reinforces my commitment to connecting our local police departments and sheriff’s offices with the support they need to keep their neighbors safe,” said Spanberger. “These men and women deserve the full benefits they have earned in service to their communities. Our law enforcement deserve federal assistance when it comes to identifying deadly substances — like fentanyl — in our communities and building a response plan. I will continue to work to deliver for our local officers who go to work each day to keep us safe. I’m humbled to receive this award from NAPO, and I’m grateful for their partnership.”

BACKGROUND

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States, representing more than 1,000 police units and associations and more than 241,000 sworn law enforcement officers who share a common dedication to vigorous and effective representation on behalf of our nation’s law enforcement officers. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America’s law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy and education.

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