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SR16 • 2025

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE, AFFIRMING THE RULE OF LAW, RECOGNIZING THE CHALLENGING AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FACED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CALLING FOR FACT-BASED REVIEW AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE, AFFIRMING THE RULE OF LAW, RECOGNIZING THE CHALLENGING AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FACED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CALLING FOR FACT-BASED REVIEW AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Hocker
Last action
2026-01-29
Official status
Defeated 1/29/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included a statement about encouraging avoidance of prejudging investigations and undermining law enforcement, which was not directly supported by the official source material.

Expressing Condolences and Supporting Law Enforcement

This resolution expresses sympathy for those who lost loved ones, affirms peaceful protest rights, recognizes the dangers faced by federal law enforcement officers, and calls for impartial investigations.

What This Bill Does

  • Sends condolences to families affected by loss of life.
  • Affirms the right to peaceful protest while condemning violence.
  • Recognizes the dangerous conditions faced by federal law enforcement officers during their duties.
  • Calls for impartial investigations and due process in reviewing events.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Families who lost loved ones
  • People involved in peaceful protests
  • Federal law enforcement officers

Terms To Know

due process
The legal requirement that the government must respect all of a person's legal rights before depriving them of life, liberty, or property.
peaceful protest
A demonstration where people gather to express their opinions without causing violence or breaking laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The resolution does not create new laws but expresses the Senate's views.
  • It was defeated in the Senate and will not become law as it stands.
  • No further action is required after its defeat.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-29 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced in Senate

  2. 2026-01-29 Delaware General Assembly

    Defeated By Senate. Votes: 6 YES 14 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT

Official Summary Text

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE, AFFIRMING THE RULE OF LAW, RECOGNIZING THE CHALLENGING AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FACED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CALLING FOR FACT-BASED REVIEW AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
This resolution acknowledges the tragedy of loss of life, affirms the importance of peaceful protest, and recognizes the challenging conditions faced during law enforcement operations. It emphasizes respect for due process and the need for a careful, fact-based review of events.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Hocker

Sens. Buckson, Lawson, Pettyjohn, Richardson, Wilson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 16

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE, AFFIRMING THE RULE OF LAW, RECOGNIZING THE CHALLENGING AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FACED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CALLING FOR FACT-BASED REVIEW AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHEREAS, the loss of human life is always tragic, and the General Assembly extends its sincere condolences to the families and loves ones affected; and

WHEREAS, the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional freedom that must be respected and protected; and

WHEREAS, federal law enforcement officers, including agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, are tasked with enforcing federal law, often under rapidly evolving and dangerous circumstances; and

WHEREAS, maintaining public safety requires balancing constitutional rights with lawful enforcement responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, accountability and transparency are best served through impartial investigations, due process, and a full review of all facts; and

WHEREAS, rhetoric that prejudges investigations or undermines law enforcement institutions risks further escalation and division during already tense situations.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of 153

rd

General Assembly of the State of Delaware hereby expresses sympathy for the tragic loss of life and support for those grieving.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate affirms the right to peaceful protest while condemning violence, intimidation, and unlawful conduct by any individual.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate recognizes the difficult and dangerous conditions under which federal law enforcement officers operate and affirms their duty to enforce the law consistent with constitutional standards.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate supports fact-based investigations, due process, and accountability through appropriate legal channels, free from political pressure or presumption.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution acknowledges the tragedy of loss of life, affirms the importance of peaceful protest, and recognizes the challenging conditions faced during law enforcement operations. It emphasizes respect for due process and the need for a careful, fact-based review of events.

Author: Senator Hocker