BREAKING/READ: Flake Briefly Pauses Healthcare Debate, Takes Lead On Releasing Donated Funds For Capitol Police Wounded In Baseball Shooting

Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) hit pause on the Senate's healthcare debate this morning (AZ time) in order to pass an emergency bill to authorize the release of some of the donated funds to the two U.S.

Capitol Police officers injured last month in the Congressional Baseball Classic practice shooting.

Flake - who himself was one of the heroes during that June 14 incident - asked for unanimous consent to pass the Wounded Officers Recovery Act (H.R. 3298). It was quickly given and the general debate on our healthcare system resumed.

(To play video, click here. It will open in new window.)

U.S. Capitol Police special agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey were at the early morning practice, and engaged in a shootout with the would-be assassin (he was killed). They have been treated and released. Their protectee, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, was injured and got out of the hospital this week.

Donations poured in to the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund in Griner and Bailey's honor. However, federal law only permits families of killed officers to receive donated monies donated to the fund. Today's measure specifically adds Griner and Bailey to the permitted recipients. (Text below)

The bipartisan bill was co-sponsored in the House by Arizona Reps. Tom O'Halleran (D-CD1) and Ruben Gallego (D-CD7).

The measure was passed by unanimous consent in the House on Monday and now heads to the President.

  Wounded Officers Recovery Act by arizonaspolitics on Scribd

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