McIver Introduces First Bill in U.S. House, Works to Protect Women DHS Agents

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10) introduced the Better Ballistic Body Armor Act in the U.S. House to increase the availability of protective body armor, like bulletproof vests, that better fits the bodies of women agents in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Ill-fitting body armor for women and people with varying body types has potentially lethal consequences, and can cause bullets and shrapnel to ricochet off agents’ chest plates and into their necks or spines. The bill is co-led by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS-04).

 

This bill is bipartisan and bicameral, with Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) sponsoring companion legislation, co-led by Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), in the Senate. This McIver’s first bill introduction in the U.S. House since being sworn in on September 23, 2024.

 

“When we ask our nation’s DHS agents to put themselves in harm’s way for our country, we should make sure they have the right equipment to stay safe—because of ill-fitting armor, there’s a lethal safety gap for women and some men who work on the front lines at DHS that my Better Ballistic Body Armor Act will address,” said Rep. McIver. “Regardless of gender or body type, these DHS agents are doing the same challenging work, but with uniforms made exclusively to fit traditional male bodies, they’re open to more harm. This is a fixable problem with a clear solution: let’s pass this bipartisan bill to provide the right protective gear to everyone who serves.”

"As a career law enforcement officer, I know firsthand how critical effective and advanced body armor is to protecting officers who are out in the field defending our communities. Proper gear is literally a matter of life or death for these courageous men and women, that's why I’m proud to lead the DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act alongside my colleague, Rep. McIver. This legislation will provide the necessary resources to protect those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," said Rep. Ezell.

 

“Law enforcement officers deserve protective body armor that keeps them as safe as they keep us. This bill ensures that all officers will have access to the most advanced and effective safety equipment available,” said Sen. Peters. “I’m grateful for my colleagues Rep. McIver and Rep. Ezell for their leadership over this bill in the House.” 

 

“The frontline law enforcement personnel at the Department of Homeland Security deserve the most effective body armor possible to protect them from threats—it’s just common sense. That’s why I’m glad to co-sponsor Rep. McIver’s legislation to ensure these brave men and women have the individualized protection they need, just like special agents at the FBI,” said House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson. “I thank her for introducing this much needed legislation.”

 

This bill would improve job safety for many NJ-10 residents and workers nationwide, including those with Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Secret Service and others. In addition to requiring DHS to provide more sufficient body armor for all who serve, this bill also increases reporting standards for DHS so that there is a clearer record of how many women are receiving compliant ballistic resistant body armor to safely and successfully execute their roles.

 

McIver sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Better Ballistic Body Armor Act. Peters’ companion bill has passed in the Senate. The House version awaits a vote.

 

Full text of the Better Ballistic Body Armor Act can be found here.