May 20, 2024
FROM CONGRESSMAN NICK LANGWORTHY: During National Police Week, House Republicans passed bills to support our law enforcement officers and ensure they have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I’m proud to work closely with police departments, sheriff’s offices, and other law enforcement agencies in New York’s 23rd District to hear about the challenges they face so I can be sure our legislative efforts truly address their concerns — from hosting roundtables on the fentanyl crisis to developing federal funding requests.
Unfortunately, in New York State, our police officers, the very individuals sworn to protect us, are undermined by radical partisan policies that increasingly place political agendas over public safety. Governor Kathy Hochul, the Democrat supermajority in Albany, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have given into policies that have let criminals out on our streets, taken resources from law enforcement, and created an environment where our officers are at greater risk than ever before.
These policies have led to a surge in crime, undermining the efforts of dedicated law enforcement personnel who strive to maintain peace and order. Bail reform laws have allowed repeat offenders to return to the streets almost immediately after arrest, leaving officers demoralized and the public endangered. The reduction in funding and resources for police departments means fewer officers on the streets, longer response times, and diminished capacity for community policing initiatives that build trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Officers are often vilified in the liberal media, leading to a decline in morale and recruitment challenges.
National Police Week should be a time to honor the sacrifices and dedication of our police officers. I was disappointed that House Democrats overwhelmingly opposed every pro-police measure that was put on the floor this week. 13 New York Democrats opposed the H.R.7343, which would require the deportation of illegal aliens who assault police officers, like those who were released without bail after attacking NYPD officers in Times Square.
Other legislation passed this week included measures to promote the health and safety of officers, protect their Second Amendment rights, improve reporting on the effects of the border crisis on community policing, combat crime in our nation’s capital, and more. 61 Democrats voted against a resolution condemning violence against law enforcement officers, and 185 Democrats voted against a resolution condemning the Biden border crisis and the tremendous burdens law enforcement officers face as a result.
Protecting our brave men and women in blue shouldn’t be a partisan issue, and I’m disgusted that nearly half of Congress has turned their backs on them. During National Police Week and every week, our law enforcement officers deserve our respect, support, and appreciation.
As your representative, I will continue fighting for policies that bolster our law enforcement, ensure their safety, and provide them with the necessary resources. To those who serve and protect Western New and the Southern Tier — thank you for your steadfast courage and dedication.
FROM CONGRESSWOMAN TENNEY: Washington, DC—Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) voted in favor of seven pieces of legislation focused on supporting our law enforcement officers and ensuring they have the resources and tools they need to keep our communities and themselves safe.
These bills all passed the House of Representatives with Tenney’s support:
H.R. 354, the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA) Reform Act, broadens the ability of qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in areas such as school zones, national parks, federal facilities open to the public, and state, local, or private property open to the public.
H.R. 8146, the Police Our Border Act, requires the Attorney General to report detailed information on how Biden’s border crisis impacts our law enforcement, including exposures to fentanyl, injuries sustained, financial burdens, and operational strains.
H.R. 7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, requires that illegal aliens who assault law enforcement officers are quickly arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) until they are removed from the United States.
H.R. 7581, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act of 2024, requires the Attorney General to assemble reports on violence against law enforcement officers and the effectiveness of programs meant to provide law enforcement with wellness resources and protective equipment so we may comprehensively enhance the safety of police officers.
S. 546, the Recruit and Retain Act, expands the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to include recruitment and retention efforts and establishes the COPS Pipeline Partnership Program to support partnerships between local schools and law enforcement agencies to improve recruitment.
H. Res. 1213 addresses violence against law enforcement officers by condemning calls for defunding police and anti-police sentiment that have increased violence against police, acknowledging the mental and physical impacts such violence has on police, and expressing condolences and appreciation to the families of fallen law enforcement officers.
H. Res. 1210 condemns President Biden’s border crisis and the dangers and burdens it has created for America’s law enforcement officers and urges the Biden Administration to support the law enforcement officers defending our homeland.
“Our courageous law enforcement officers risk their lives every day for our communities, and they deserve to have the tools, legal protections, and support they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Yet thanks to the ‘defund and demoralize the police’ movement perpetuated by President Biden and the Left, assaults on our law enforcement officers have hit a ten-year high. President Biden and Congressional Democrats have abandoned these brave men and women, choosing instead to support dangerous illegal immigrants and criminals. During National Police Week, House Republicans reiterated our support for our men and women in blue and passed multiple bills dedicated to combating skyrocketing crime and protecting our police officers. I will always Back the Blue and support our nation’s law enforcement officers!”
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