House to pass bill to speed up arrest of people who injure or kill cops

The House next week is expected to approve legislation that would create a federal information network aimed at tracking down and arresting people who injure or kill local, state and federal law enforcement officers.

The National Blue Alert Act, H.R. 365, was introduced more than a year ago by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and Del. Pedro Pierluisi (D-Puerto Rico). But House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said the House would approve it under a suspension of the rules next week.

"The National Blue Alert Act will allow us to act quickly in apprehending suspects, and make it clear that to anyone who chooses to harm our nation's law enforcement officers, that they will be caught," Grimm said last year.

The legislation directs the U.S. attorney general to set up a "Blue Alert" network in the Justice Department to share information as quickly as possible when an officer is hurt or killed. It also directs Justice to encourage states to set up similar systems.

The bill pays for the program by pulling $10 million out of a federal program that helps states investigate crime.