OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

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

Date: May 18, 2022
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 7809, the Communities Deserve Cops Act. My bill will make retention and hiring bonuses allowable for COPS grants.

Madam Speaker, I spent over 40 years in law enforcement, including 12 as sheriff, and I know firsthand the challenges that agencies all across America are facing in hiring, training and retaining their personnel. However, the challenges I faced as sheriff pale in comparison to what these agencies face today.

Police departments across America are in the middle of a hiring crisis. After years of far-left politicians defunding, demoralizing, and delegitimizing police officers, we are seeing now the disastrous results. A recent survey, as was mentioned earlier, found some cities are facing shortages as high as 17 percent. Just last year, retirements nationwide went up 45 percent.

And guess what? Violent crime also increased in every major city across the Northeast almost. Less officers equals more crime, plain and simple.

Madam Speaker, this pattern of retirements and difficulty recruiting new officers is unsustainable and will have disastrous effects.

My legislation makes a very small but necessary change to how COPS grants are utilized. In addition to using COPS funding to hire, train, and equip officers, agencies will be able to use Federal dollars to offer financial bonuses up to $5,000 to keep officers on the force and to attract and hire new officers.

I know many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim to support law enforcement. So I ask you: Join with us in this important moment. Join with us in voting ``yes'' today that you will fund and not defund the police.

As we wrap up National Police Week, let's show the police officers across America that we have their back.

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