Invest to Protect Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my colleague from Texas' comment, I would also say that we get what we pay for, which is why I rise to support the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act which is legislation I was proud to cosponsor. This legislation follows our prior increases of funding to the community-oriented policing program through the appropriations process.

The Invest to Protect Act would help get the job done of ensuring that police departments--particularly those like I represent in smaller and rural communities--have the ability to recruit and retain officers.

This legislation invests in officer safety, it invests in domestic violence response training, and it invests in funding the police departments like those I represent.

Throughout Virginia's Seventh District, I hear directly from local police departments about the need for stronger investments in training, equipment, recruitment, and retention. And as a former law enforcement officer, I greatly admire and am thankful for the dedication of the men and women who work every day to keep our communities safe.

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Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Congressman Gottheimer and Congressman Rutherford, for their leadership on this legislation. I thank CBC Chair Beatty for her partnership on these important issues of public safety and public trust. And I appreciate that this bill has the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Association of Police Officers.

This is a smart investment, smart policy, and at this moment we should have the common commitment to keeping America's communities safe.

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