Luján Introduces Legislative Package to Strengthen Accountability in Federal Law Enforcement

Amid Concerns of Weakened Hiring Standards and a Lack of Accountability, Package of Luján Bills Will Restore Oversight Across Trump's DOJ

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced a legislative package of three bills aimed to restore oversight, enforcement standards, and ensure consequences for misconduct across President Trump's Department of Justice (DOJ). The introduction of these bills follows growing concerns regarding weakened hiring standards, reduced training, and a concerning lack of accountability within federal law enforcement.

"Within federal law enforcement, strong hiring standards, proper oversight, and real accountability are vital - and can save lives," said Senator Luján. "The American people deserve officers who are thoroughly trained, carefully vetted, and held to the highest standards of conduct. Under President Trump's DOJ, those standards are being undermined. That is why I am introducing this legislative package to restore accountability and strengthen oversight, across federal law enforcement."

The FBI Hiring Review Act would require the Department of Justice to audit the personnel files for all Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employees hired since July 4, 2025, the date the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law. Specifically, the legislation would ensure that new hire records were checked against state-level misconduct files and require the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to certify that new personnel completed all required trainings. This bill comes after the FBI announced it would reduce the vetting of existing administrative support staff to become special agents applying to be FBI agents, a part of an internal push by FBI Director Kash Patel to streamline the application process to hire 700 new special agents this year.

The Federal Prosecutorial Accountability Act would require the DOJ to suspend an attorney for one year if that attorney receives a Rule 11 sanction from the court, a penalty for submitting frivolous, unfounded, or improper filings. Currently, the Office of Professional Responsibility within the DOJ is charged with ensuring "that Department attorneys perform their duties in accordance with the highest professional standards." However, the DOJ has failed to discipline its own attorneys and has attempted to intervene in disciplinary actions undertaken by state bar associations.

The Victims of Immigration Conduct Enforcement (VOICE) Act amends the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to create a cause of action against any federal law enforcement officer who violates an individual's constitutional rights during immigration-related enforcement activity. The VOICE Act also amends the FTCA to allow for the awarding of a minimum of $2 million in punitive damages. The damages would be paid out of the employing agency's funds. Congress enacted the FTCA to authorize plaintiffs to obtain compensation from the United States for personal injury, death, or property damage caused by the negligence of federal employees acting within their scope of employment. However, the FTCA imposes several barriers against those seeking compensation.

Full text of the FBI Hiring Review Act is available here.

Full text of the Federal Prosecutorial Accountability Act is available here.

Full text of the Victims of Immigration Conduct Enforcement (VOICE) Act is available here.

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