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Floor Speech

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Mr. NADLER. 4118.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation is experiencing an epidemic of violence, particularly gun violence, that is ravaging communities large and small across the United States. Research shows that violence begets more violence. It is a vicious cycle.

H.R. 4118, the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, would provide grant funding for community violence intervention programs and youth workforce development programs to help prevent gun violence and other violent crimes, and to provide critical support services to people and communities who are in dire need of help.

In addition to saving countless lives, it would also save billions of dollars. It is estimated that gun violence costs this Nation a staggering $280 billion every single year.

This legislation would help establish evidence-based community violence intervention, or CVI programs, staffed by specialists with ties to their communities. These programs connect people at risk of committing violence, and those at risk of being victimized by violence, with intensive counseling and support services.

Because we know that access to job training, apprenticeship, and other workforce development programs are effective tools in reducing community violence, the bill would also support workforce development programs for youth in communities that are disproportionately impacted by violence.

Experience tells us that these programs work, reducing rates of homicide and other gun violence by as much as 50 percent. We must invest in these remarkably effective programs so that we can finally break the cycle of violence, which has shattered so many communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Steve Horsford for introducing this important legislation.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I didn't know that the Federal Government funding police was against the Republican Party position.
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Mr. NADLER. Jackson Lee), a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, if you could ever be fed up--I am fed up. Fed up, and fed up with the babbling that we are hearing from Republicans on the other side.

You know, the question should be: Where were you on January 6 when law enforcement were bleeding on the steps of the United States Capitol, passing out, and dying? Where were you? This is not a political circumstance. These are people who are standing here because Steve Horsford had a personal experience.

The Judiciary Committee has consistently supported intervention programs dealing with countering violence. This bill, Break the Cycle of Violence Act, is needed in America. Stand up with us, Republicans. A bill that takes a vital step toward reducing community violence and improving public safety by investing in people, their communities, and establish evidence-based programs proven to help reduce violence. Our law enforcement are begging for this.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, our Nation has a crisis of violence, particularly gun violence, and it is tearing at our communities.

I have a husband and a baby shot dead, the mother calling: Where is my husband and baby? The baby is found dead.

The cause of gun violence, $280 billion, $700 annually for every American, $488,000 for shootings dealing with medical and criminal expenses.

My brothers and sisters, where are we in standing for America and law enforcement and families and children?

Support H.R. 4118 so that we can divert children away from violence and move toward opportunities. I don't know what you are saying. I am fed up. Do something about it so that we can fight for justice in this country and stand for people who want to be safe in their community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4118, the ``Break the Cycle of Violence Act,'' a bill that takes a vital step towards reducing community violence and improving public safety by investing in people, their communities, and established, evidence-based programs proven to help reduce violence.

Our nation has a crisis of violence, particularly gun violence, that is tearing our communities apart. Violent crime is not a blue or red state problem--it ravages large cities, small towns, and even rural communities. It causes unspeakable pain to its victims and their families--regardless of party affiliation.

The bill would provide $1.5 billion in workforce development grants for youth in communities that are disproportionately impacted by violence; and $5 billion in grants over 8 years for evidence-based, community violence intervention programs likely to succeed--to develop and support:

community outreach programs, staffed by violence intervention specialists with ties to their communities;

hospital-based violence intervention programs to provide intensive counseling, peer support, and social services;

group violence intervention strategies that provide culturally responsive support and services; and

violence interruption and crisis management initiatives that respond to and mediate potentially violent conflicts and provide support services where violence has already occurred.

While the human cost of gun violence is at times overwhelming, the economic costs for communities and taxpayers is also stunning. The total cost of gun violence is $280 billion--every year--with every American bearing $700 of the cost annually as well.

Because a single gun homicide costs taxpayers $448,000 in medical and criminal justice expenses and we know that community violence intervention programs have been shown to dramatically reduce rates of homicide and other gun violence by as much as 50 percent--and sometimes more--this bill will save lives and taxpayer dollars.

Many violence intervention programs work side-by-side with law enforcement to stop violence before it starts and engage in targeted enforcement actions. Trained violence interrupters and crisis management specialists do the same, while also providing trauma- informed grief counseling.

We know these programs work. In communities across the country, from New Jersey to Nebraska, from Massachusetts to Missouri, community violence intervention programs have reduced incidences of homicide and other gun violence by as much as 50 percent, sometimes more.

Recognizing the critical role that education, training, and viable employment play in unlocking economic mobility, long-term stability, thereby preventing violence, H.R. 4118 would divert young people away from the circumstances that foster gun violence toward opportunities to gain useful skills to obtain good jobs that pay a living-wage.

If we are truly going to break the cycle of violence--we must acknowledge that violence is neither red nor blue--support programs that address the root causes of violence, and give aid to those who need it most--through the community members and leaders who know them best.

I commend Representative Steven Horsford for his work on this important bill and urge my colleagues to support it.
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Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Jordan apparently isn't listening. This is a package of bills. The last bill, which he opposed, appropriated money for police. This bill complements it by appropriating money for antiviolence intervention.

Mr. Speaker, our communities have seen enough violence and bloodshed. The Break the Cycle of Violence Act gives us the opportunity to prevent violence before it starts and to provide critical support to our most impacted communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this crucial legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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