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Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith backs bill in support of law enforcement

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By Desmone Mathews

WASHINGTON — Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith has renewed support for legislation to increase penalties for those who attack law enforcement officers, federal judges, or other federal public safety officers.

Hyde-Smith is one of the original cosponsors of the Back the Blue Act.

The bill would also increase penalties for murdering or attempting to murder law enforcement, and create a new federal crime for killing or attempting to kill a federal judge.

The legislation also stipulates mandatory sentences.