Back the Blue

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Pascrell for his leadership in the caucus, supporting law enforcement, and always being there for those in New Jersey. I am very grateful.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Rutherford for organizing this evening and for all he does and has done in his career for law enforcement and for his service, which continues today. We are incredibly grateful for him.

I am grateful for my friendship with Mr. Bacon, who just spoke so artfully. He is vice chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus and also does a phenomenal job.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Police Week and to express my deep and unwavering support for the sacrifices our law enforcement officers make to keep our families and our communities safe.

Every day, law enforcement officers put on bulletproof vests, kiss their loved ones good-bye, and then put their lives on the line to look out for us. That is why we must always get the backs of those who have ours.

I am very proud to co-lead the bipartisan resolution that was just passed to recognize National Police Week and memorialize officers tragically killed in the line of duty.

This week, as we are here with so many others recognizing National Police Week, Americans across our great Nation honor and remember the more than 26,000 law enforcement officers who have sacrificed their lives to protect our great country. We will always honor their memory. We must do all we can to support law enforcement.

That is why I am honored to be leading bipartisan, bicameral legislation with my good friend and retired sheriff Congressman Rutherford called the Invest to Protect Act.

Our bipartisan legislation that he referred to is also being co-led by the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Steven Horsford, and retired NYPD detective Congressman Anthony D'Esposito.

Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will make critical investments in law enforcement, especially in small departments, training, recruitment and retention of officers, and mental health to protect our officers, our families, and our communities.

The Invest to Protect Act was developed through many conversations with Republicans and Democrats in both Chambers and with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

I am proud the bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by key law enforcement organizations, including the National Association of Police Organizations, Fraternal Order of Police, New Jersey State FOP, New Jersey State PBA, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Troopers Coalition, New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association, Port Authority PBA, Peace Officers Research Association of California, State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association, National Sheriffs' Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, National Tactical Officers Coalition, and Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

It is worth pointing out these organizations because it shows the broad support in our country to support law enforcement and to make sure we take care of those who take care of us.

We have identical companion legislation in the Senate led by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada.

We worked with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and others across the spectrum because the point Sheriff Rutherford and I realize, as well as so many others who support this legislation, is that you cannot cut or defund your way to safer communities and better police departments. Instead, you need to invest to protect. That is the only way we strengthen our departments to make them even better. We have to stand by them.

This idea that you cut all the way to the bone as the answer is absurd. It makes our communities weaker. We need to invest in them.

I am so grateful for this across-the-aisle support to get the backs of those who risk their lives every day to protect us, not just on this bill but on so many other important pieces of legislation that we will be considering this week, National Police Week.

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