January 6th Law Enforcement Heroes Compensation Fund Act

119th Congress Introduced by Pete Aguilar and 50 co-sponsors

HR 8802 would establish a program to compensate law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, for related costs, injuries, and hardships.

Introduced in House

Bill overview

Bill: HR 8802

Session: 119

Purpose: To provide compensation to law enforcement officers who defended the United States Capitol during the events that occurred at or near the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and for other purposes.

Status: Introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary (as of 2026-05-13).

What the bill seeks to do

Establish a framework to compensate law enforcement officers who participated in protecting the U.S. Capitol during January 6, 2021 events, including officers who were injured or faced threats while performing their duties.

Potentially extend compensation beyond immediate medical costs to cover related expenses, lost wages, or other hardship related to fulfilling duties on that day (the exact benefit design would be set out in the bill text).

Key provisions and changes proposed

Given the summary details provided, the bill’s core elements include:

Eligibility for compensation for law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Administration and disbursement of compensation through a designated program or mechanism established by the bill.

Clarifications on the scope of compensation (e.g., medical expenses, disability or injuries, associated costs) and conditions for eligibility.

Any additional “for other purposes” provisions could authorize related actions, such as funding mechanisms, oversight, or related supports for affected officers.

Note: The exact dollar amounts, duration of benefits, caps, eligibility criteria (e.g., department, rank, active-duty vs. retired), and administrative details would be specified in the full text of the bill.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: Law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and who meet any stated eligibility criteria.

Potentially impacted groups: Federal officers, Capitol Police, District of Columbia Metropolitan Police, U.S. Capitol Police, and other officers who participated in post-event security or response activities as defined by the bill.

Government bodies: An agency or program established under the bill to administer compensation, with oversight and reporting requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction: The bill was introduced in the House.

Referral: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary (2026-05-13).

Next steps: If advanced, it would typically proceed to committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the House; then, if passed, move to the Senate and potentially to conference committee before final passage and enactment.

Timing considerations: The bill creates a post-event compensation program, with eligibility tied to January 6, 2021, events, suggesting a retrospective provision aimed at acknowledging and supporting officers affected by those events.

Practical implications and considerations

This bill signals a formal Congressional recognition of the service and sacrifices of officers involved in safeguarding the Capitol during January 6, 2021.

It would provide a structured mechanism for compensation, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs and delivering support to officers and their families.

The scope and amount of compensation, eligibility criteria, and administration details will significantly influence who qualifies and how benefits are distributed.

If you would like, I can tailor this summary further once the bill’s full text is available, including precise eligibility standards, funding sources, and administration provisions.