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. Since 2021, over 1,000 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 and demoralize 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 am working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. 

Supporting our Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers

• Cosponsored H.R. 594, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act and H.R. 31, the POLICE Act: These important bills will make it clear that assaulting a law enforcement officer is a deportable offense. As our Nation continues to deal with the consequences of President Biden’s refusal to enforce our immigration laws, we must ensure that any illegal alien that harms our law enforcement officers is no longer permitted to remain in our country. I was honored to vote for both these bills when they passed the House of Representatives as part of the Laken Riley Act and thank President Trump for signing this important legislation into law.

• Cosponsored H.Res. 395, 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.

•  Introduced H.Res. 208, Expressing solidarity with the New York State corrections officers striking for better working conditions: Despite the tireless and thankless work that our corrections officers do, Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature continue to vilify these heroes and make their jobs harder. The New York State government continues to place our corrections officers in harm’s way by removing commonsense safety measures and giving our inmates more rights than our officers. As a result, our corrections officers had no choice but to strike for better and safer working conditions and I unequivocally stood with our corrections officers as they fought for their rights.

• Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 30, Expressing support for local law enforcement officers: Our brave local law enforcement officers keep our communities safe every day by putting their lives on the line. This resolution recognizes their devotion and dedication and extends our gratitude for their tireless efforts. I will always back the blue and deeply appreciate the sacrifices of all of our local law enforcement officers.

Removing Barriers for Law Enforcement Officers to Protect Our Communities

• Introduced H.R.203, the Red Light Act:  This bill withholds federal transportation funding from states that enact laws to provide driver's licenses or identification cards to illegal immigrants in the United States. In 2019, New York's Green Light Law took effect, allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses, and more dangerously, prevented the DMV from sharing any information with our law enforcement officers. This lack of information sharing is incredibly dangerous and puts our officers at risk. This legislation will force New York State to repeal the Green Light Law and restore cooperation with law enforcement.

• Introduced H.R. 198, 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 the Defund and Demoralize the Police movement and improve community-police relations. 

• Cosponsored H.R. 3129, 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 the same way they protect the rest of our community.

• Voted for H.R. 2243, 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. This will allow off-duty and retired officers to keep our communities safe.

 Ensuring Law Enforcement Offices Have the Resources and Protection They Need

• Cosponsored H.R.2189, the Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act: This legislation would modernize antiquated laws to ensure that law enforcement can use the most up-to-date nonlethal technologies. Currently, the National Firearms Act classifies some nonlethal technologies as firearms due to their range and method of operation, despite not firing lethal projectiles like a firearm. Nonlethal technologies, such as TASERs, can help law enforcement de-escalate tense situations without the need for lethal force and this bill will ensure that law enforcement can fully deploy these technologies.  

• Cosponsored H.R. 503, 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. 621, 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.