Reschenthaler Supports Police Officers During National Police Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) offered an amendment on the House floor to move legislation supporting our police officers during National Police Week. House Democrats blocked this measure and chose to not move a single bill in support of law enforcement.
"When Republicans control the House, we mark National Police Week by moving legislation to support our officers and help them keep our community safe," said Reschenthaler. "In stark contrast, this liberal, progressive majority is not moving a single bill in support of law enforcement. Congressional Democrats' decision to ignore Police Week is unsurprising, as they have openly attacked our law enforcement officers and called for defunding, dismantling, and abolishing the police. I hope they reconsider their dangerous position and join Republicans to support our law enforcement officers who make sacrifices every day to keep our communities safe."
Barely one month ago, Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans, a father of two, was killed defending the Capitol. More police officers have been shot and killed in the first four and a half months of 2021 than in all of 2020 and all of 2019.
Democrat-run cities who defunded police have seen increases in crime. Austin, Texas cut funding by $150 million and saw a 50 percent spike in homicides. Los Angeles defunded police by $175 million and experienced an 11.6 percent rise in homicides. New York City, which cut funding by $1 billion, saw a staggering 97 percent rise in shootings and a 45 percent increase in homicides.
Reschenthaler offered an amendment to the rule to consider:
- Back the Blue Act: protects police officers by making it a federal crime to kill or assault a federal law enforcement officer.
- Protect and Serve Act: creates enhanced penalties for anyone who targets law enforcement officers and purposefully harms them.
- Jaime Zapata & Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act: bipartisan legislation ensuring individuals who harm or attempt to harm U.S. federal officers and employees serving abroad can be brought to justice and prosecuted in the United States.
Click here to watch a clip of Reschenthaler's remarks on the House floor.
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