Senate Unanimously Passes Proffitt Act, Restoring Benefits to Families of Retired Officers
Behind the 100-0 vote that stunned Capitol Hill lies weeks of quiet negotiation and strategy. Sources say late-night meetings and bipartisan discussions paved the way for the rare unanimous result. Some observers note the timing — just months before a contentious election season — raising questions about whether the vote was purely a moral victory or also a calculated political move.
Closing a Legal Gap
The U.S. Senate has passed landmark legislation to correct a longstanding gap in federal law that denied benefits to families of retired police officers killed in retaliation for their service.
The bill, formally named The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, was introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) alongside Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). With full bipartisan support, it now moves to the House of Representatives for final approval.
Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, a Korean War veteran and police chief in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, was fatally shot in his driveway in 2012 by a man he had arrested nearly a decade earlier. Because he was retired at the time, his family was denied federal survivor benefits — a legal technicality the Proffitt Act now corrects.
“Even though his murder was clearly connected to his years of service, his family was denied what they rightfully deserved,” Sen. Cortez Masto said during the Senate debate. “This bill finally corrects that injustice.”
Bipartisan Efforts and Legislative Hurdles
While the Proffitt Act passed unanimously, other pro-law enforcement bills were blocked, fueling accusations of political bargaining. Some Republicans criticized Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) for allegedly tying unrelated measures to sanctuary city funding negotiations. Ultimately, only the Proffitt Act and the Improving Police CARE Act cleared the Senate floor.
Now, all eyes turn to the House. Lawmakers face pressure to expedite the vote and send the bill to President Trump for signature. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) emphasized, “We have an obligation to take care of those who pay the ultimate price for protecting us — even after they hang up the badge.”
A Rare Moment of Unity
In an era dominated by bitter partisanship, the unanimous passage of the Proffitt Act is being hailed as a rare display of bipartisanship.
For families of fallen officers, it restores dignity and ensures recognition for the ultimate sacrifice, regardless of retirement status.
🏁 Conclusion
The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act represents more than legislative action — it is a hard-won moment of justice. As the House prepares to vote, the nation is reminded that public service does not end at retirement, and the commitment to those who protect the community must endure.
Whether motivated by compassion, politics, or both, Congress has sent a clear message: the sacrifices of law enforcement officers, retired or active, deserve unwavering recognition.