Providing for Consideration of H.R. Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of Providing for Consideration of H.R. Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act; and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act, and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so we can immediately consider H.R. 7809, the Communities Deserve Cops Act, to get police back on the force and criminals off our streets.

Police departments across the country are struggling to hire and retain new recruits to keep up with the pace of retirements and resignations.

Officer morale has been decimated by antipolice rhetoric coming from politicians and procrime policies that tie the hands of our police, like the disastrous bail law of my State where a perp arrested in the morning gets out of jail before the police officer even finishes his shift.

Crime in America's cities is skyrocketing. It is skyrocketing as a result of these policies.

An increase in ambush-style attacks against our police has put our officers in harm's way both on and off duty. In 2021, America saw the most law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty since 1995.

An NYPD officer puts their life on the line for $46,000 a year. My hometown department, the NYPD, has seen more than 5,700 retirements over the last 3 years because politicians have made it impossible for them to do their job.

Nationally, retirements are up 45 percent, and resignations are up 18 percent, creating a dangerous situation in cities like mine that finished 2021 with the highest homicide rate in a decade.

The Communities Deserve Cops Act would allow law enforcement agencies to use Federal grant dollars to offer hiring and retention bonuses to our police officers. It would increase resources for our police at a time when too many politicians, including those in this Chamber, are looking to strip away resources.

It is unfortunate that legislation like this even needs to be considered. The endemic problems surrounding our police are a direct result of a systematic targeting of those who protect us by progressive politicians.

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Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Speaker, earlier this Congress, I offered a resolution condemning calls to defund, abolish, or dismantle our police, and guess what? Every one of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle voted against it. This is the problem.

When our police departments are understaffed and overworked, Congress must step up to provide them with the tools they need to effectively do their job.

In this year's Federal budget, I fought to get millions of dollars for the NYPD's K9 unit, forensic equipment, and protective gear.

I urge my colleagues to support this critically important piece of legislation to give our brave men and women in blue the respect and the support they need to do their jobs and keep our communities safe.

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