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Riley Leads Bipartisan Effort to Equip Law Enforcement with Bulletproof Vests

20 NY-19 Police Departments Received Life-Saving Gear Through FY24 Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Reps. Josh Riley (NY-19) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) led a bipartisan group of 23 members in demanding full funding of the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program at the authorized annual level of $30 million in the Fiscal Year 2026. BVP is a federal program that helps local law enforcement agencies in rural areas equip officers with life-saving bulletproof vests.

“No law enforcement officer should ever lose their life because Congress failed to do its job,” said Rep. Riley. “We have a responsibility to protect those who risk everything in the line of duty, and every vest we help fund is a chance to save a life. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to make sure our officers have the resources and support they deserve.”

In Fiscal Year 2024, BVP provided more than $1.2 million to law enforcement agencies across New York, including $103,917 to 20 jurisdictions in NY-19. Since 1999, the BVP program has enabled the purchase of more than 1.5 million bulletproof vests.

“As Sheriff and in my 28 years in Law Enforcement, I have seen firsthand how bulletproof vests save lives. My Deputy Sheriffs are on the front line every day. They devote their lives to protect the community and deserve to go home to their families at the end of the tour,” said Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf. “By making bulletproof vests more accessible to agencies through grant opportunities, we provide the much needed equipment to protect our law enforcement officers and subsequently better protect our community.”

Congressman Riley knows that keeping our communities safe shouldn’t be a partisan issue, and he’s working with Republicans and Democrats to get it done.

Earlier this month, Riley was the first Democrat to cosponsor the House-passed ‘Supporting Local Law Enforcement Officers Act,’ which reaffirms Congressional support for local law enforcement officers and departments and honors the memories of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

In April, Riley joined Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) in introducing the ‘Stop Fentanyl Smuggling Act,’ bipartisan legislation to develop technologies for detecting and intercepting fentanyl at the nation’s borders and reduce its flow into correctional facilities.

Read the full letter below:

Dear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng,

As you consider the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we urge you to fully fund the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program at its authorized level of $30 million. 

The BVP program is a vital resource for law enforcement agencies nationwide, ensuring officers are properly equipped and protected while serving their communities. Since its inception in 1999, the program has provided over $573 million in federal assistance to more than 13,000 jurisdictions, enabling the purchase of more than 1.5 million bulletproof vests. 

The impact of this program is clear. According to the Department of Justice, in the last decade alone, body armor vests were directly attributable to saving the lives of over 300 law enforcement and corrections officers. 

We urge you to consider the safety of our brave first responders as you formulate the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. By fully funding this critical program, we can continue to ensure that law enforcement officers have access to these lifesaving resources.

Thank you for your attention to and consideration of this request.

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