Law Enforcement Plan

There are over 800,000 law enforcement officers across the United States serving and protecting our communities commendably at great personal risk. These public servants intervene daily in dangerous and life-threatening situations to deescalate tensions, provide emergency care, apprehend criminals, defend the most vulnerable, and protect the constitutional rights of all Americans.

Over the past few years, law enforcement officers have faced unprecedented challenges in the face of rising violent crime and the left’s efforts to undermine officers’ ability to safely do their job. In 2021 and 2022, 812 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty, making it the deadliest period for law enforcement in decades. Amidst these unparalleled challenges, politicians in Washington and around the country have perpetuated the idea that law enforcement officers are the enemy. They have even gone so far as to create a dangerous movement to “defund the police” that demonizes police, imperils our public safety, and needlessly divides communities.

 In response, I am supporting the following multipronged plan to support law enforcement and bring our communities back together. We must move beyond the divisive and damaging rhetoric, mend the relationships between police and the communities they serve, and give our police officers the legal protections and tools they need to do their job safely and effectively. To accomplish these objectives, I will work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. 

Supporting our Law Enforcement Officers

• Cosponsored H.Res. 285, Establishing a Law Enforcement Bill of Rights: This resolution states that all police officers have the right to defend themselves, to due process, and to protections under the Fifth Amendment, among other things. It also reiterates how important policing is to our communities and condemns any calls to disband or abolish the police.
   
• Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 4, Commending Law Enforcement: This resolution expresses support for our nation's local law enforcement and condemning any efforts to defund or dismantle police departments. The resolution recognizes the great sacrifices local law enforcement officers make in keeping their communities safe and upholding the rule of law.
   
• Cosponsored H.Res. 69, Condemning Defund the Police: This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the dedication and devotion of law enforcement personnel should be recognized and that calls to “defund”, “disband”, “dismantle”, or “abolish” the police should be condemned.
   

Allowing Law Enforcement Officers to Enforce the Law

• Cosponsored H.R. 304, the SERVE Our Communities Act: New York law enforcement officers have felt the brunt of New York’s failed bail reform and increasing anti-police sentiment. This legislation will create a new federal grant program for jurisdictions that establish a “dangerousness standard”, allowing state courts to consider the danger an individual poses to the community before determining their bail or if they are released. In addition, the jurisdiction can act to expand the hiring and retention of law enforcement and prosecutorial staff or create a public education program to combat anti-police sentiment and improve community-police relations. 
   
• Cosponsored H.R. 1650, the Police Officers Protecting Children Act: This legislation allows active and retired law enforcement officers with concealed carry permits to possess a firearm in a school zone. Law enforcement officers are entrusted with protecting our communities, including school zones. Current law prevents them from protecting our children at their school same way they protect the rest of our community.
  
   
• Cosponsored H.R. 354, the LEOSA Reform Act: This legislation, widely endorsed by police organizations nationally, amends the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) to allow well-qualified off-duty and retired officers to carry their firearms for the protection of themselves, their families, and our communities.

Ensuring Law Enforcement Offices Have the Resources and Protection They Need

• Cosponsored H.R. 233, Qualified Immunity Act: This legislation codifies the defense of qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in federal law, giving them explicit protections in federal court. Eliminating qualified immunity throws fairness out the door and would remove good-faith legal protections for police officers.
   
• Cosponsored H.R. 1627, the Sergeant Steve Owen Defending Our Defenders Act: This legislation makes the murder of a state or federal law enforcement officer a federal crime that would be punishable either by life imprisonment or the death penalty.
   
• Cosponsored H.R. 795, the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act: This legislation would expand the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program to allow for grants to purchase containment devices for first responders. These containment devices can be critical in protecting our first responders from exposure to fentanyl, opioids, and other potentially lethal substances. 

 Law enforcement officers are essential to protecting our communities and the most vulnerable populations among us. It is vitally important that we come together as a nation, have the tough conversations, and work with one another to advance real solutions that restore public safety and rebuild trust. Your views are always important to me. Please write to me on my website or call my office at 202-225-3665 with feedback, questions, or concerns.