Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced today that legislation she cosponsored to help equip law enforcement officers with bulletproof vests cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act would reauthorize a program that provides federal resources to match up to half the cost of bulletproof vests for local and state law enforcement officers.

“Local law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” Klobuchar said.“This legislation would help ensure these officers have the equipment they need to stay safe on the job.”

Last year, 179 jurisdictions in Minnesota received resources from the program which went toward the purchase of 2,567 bulletproof vests.

Klobuchar is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees law enforcement programs.