Backing the Blue
Dear North Dakota Law Enforcement Officers,
During National Police Week, I want to say thank you—for your service, courage, and the sacrifices you and your families make every day to keep our communities safe.
From local town patrols to county sheriffs, state troopers, and tribal officers, you are the steady hand North Dakotans rely on in moments of crisis. Whether it's confronting danger, responding to tragedy, or lending help when it's needed most, your service reflects deep character, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to others.
North Dakota is lucky to have some of the very best law enforcement professionals in the country. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many of you, and I’ve seen the professionalism and heart you bring to your work. You do more than enforce the law—you build trust, strengthen our communities, and protect the freedoms that make this country great.
In Congress, I’m committed to supporting you with the tools and policies you need. I was proud to vote for the HALT Fentanyl Act, to help you fight the scourge of fentanyl in our communities. I also supported the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, which addresses the growing threat of high-speed chases along our southern border by imposing criminal penalties on individuals who evade U.S. Border Patrol agents or law enforcement officials assisting Border Patrol.
This week, I voted in favor of several additional measures to support law enforcement, including:
The LEOSA Reform Act
Backing the blue isn’t just a policy stance—it’s a promise I take seriously. Your safety, wellness, and ability to do your job effectively will always be a priority for me.
Below, you will find a recap of some of my meetings with North Dakota law enforcement officers along with the priorities I’ve discussed with them:
Soon after I took office in January, Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben and his team expressed strong support for the decisive action of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a car of illegal immigrants was pulled over in Bismarck by law enforcement. It’s a big step forward for safety to have ICE & Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcing the immigration laws the way they are intended and have been enforced for the last 40 years, except for the last four.
In February, I met with Chief Agent Ben Leingang from North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to discuss the fentanyl crisis in our country and the status of deportations in North Dakota. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and enforcement of existing law, violent illegal immigrants are being removed from our country.
Earlier this year, I met with Jason Horning who founded the Next Generation 9-1-1 to modernize and improve our 9-1-1 system. Congratulations, Jason, on receiving the Steve Souder Government Leader Award!
In my meeting with Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, he highlighted staffing and resource needs along with opportunities to improve coordination between federal, state, and local agencies for the safety and security of North Dakota’s communities.
Law enforcement officers face a rising level of threat and need legislative protection. In March, I met with Joe Johnson, an old neighbor of mine, from the North Dakota Fraternal Order of Police. His organization advocates for the rightful prosecution of crimes that involve killing or attempting to kill a law enforcement officer. To every police chief, sheriff, deputy, trooper, agent, and officer: thank you. If your travels bring you to Washington, D.C., I’d love to meet you! My office would also be happy to help arrange a tour of the U.S. Capitol or the White House. |
| My Best, |
Julie Fedorchak
Member of Congress