Trump’s latest tax bill wins praise from police unions—but faces fierce resistance in the Senate over deficit fears and blue-state perks.
At a Glance
- Fraternal Order of Police endorses Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
- Bill eliminates federal tax on overtime for public safety officers under $160K
- Raises SALT deduction cap to $40,000 for earners under $500K
- FOP says bill helps officers living in high-cost, high-tax jurisdictions
- Critics warn SALT provision could add $385 billion to the deficit
Police Union Throws Support Behind Trump Tax Bill
The largest police union in America, the Fraternal Order of Police, has thrown its full weight behind President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” praising its pro-labor tax reforms for public safety workers. At the heart of their support: a provision that exempts overtime earnings from federal taxes for officers earning less than $160,000 annually.
FOP President Patrick Yoes called the bill a “promise kept” to officers, noting it delivers on Trump’s long-standing pledge to boost take-home pay for law enforcement. The union says the measure not only acknowledges officers’ heavy reliance on overtime but offers meaningful financial relief amid rising living costs and recruitment shortfalls.
Watch: FOP President backs Trump’s bill.
SALT Deduction Sparks Partisan Firestorm
Another major provision—raising the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions to $40,000 for individuals earning under $500,000—has sparked internal GOP friction. Lawmakers from high-tax states call it essential; others, like Rep. Rich McCormick, warn it rewards fiscally irresponsible states and could inflate the federal deficit by as much as $385 billion.
Still, the FOP insists the SALT fix is a lifeline for officers required to live near their jurisdictions. “The current cap unfairly penalizes law enforcement officers,” Yoes argued, “especially in regions where high housing costs and tax burdens make financial stability elusive.”
The union also notes that SALT deductions indirectly support local budgets—critical as departments face soaring expenses and ongoing staffing shortages.
House Victory, Senate Uncertainty
The bill narrowly passed the House in a 215–214 vote, with every Democrat opposing and a handful of Republicans breaking ranks. Speaker J. Michael Johnson and Trump both celebrated the win, framing it as a key piece of the administration’s economic and public safety agenda.
But its fate in the Senate remains uncertain. A coalition of deficit hawks and red-state Republicans has balked at the SALT provision, calling it a handout to liberal jurisdictions. Others argue that exempting law enforcement overtime and boosting deductions could offer targeted relief without significantly altering fiscal dynamics—if paired with offsetting cuts elsewhere.
Public Safety as the Political Wedge
As the debate unfolds, Trump is framing the bill as a referendum on valuing public safety. “Our police deserve not just our respect—but our support,” he told reporters last week. “This bill gives them both.”
With law enforcement unions increasingly vocal in their demands for economic reform, the GOP may find itself split between appeasing fiscal conservatives and retaining a key public sector constituency.
One thing is clear: the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is more than a tax measure—it’s a political litmus test on public safety, economic equity, and how much fiscal risk Republicans are willing to accept in an election year.
