Providing for Consideration of H.R. Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Leosa Reform Act; and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGUIRE. I thank my friend, the gentleman from Texas, for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the three bills it provides consideration for.

Since 2020 respect for law enforcement around our country has been on the decline, and we have seen the effects this has had in our communities.

We all know the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. In Chicago, criminals do not care about gun laws. They have the strictest gun laws and the most gun violence by criminals who don't care about gun laws. We need more good guys with guns on the street, mostly because Biden's open-border policy brought more illegal criminals into our country who are robbing, raping, and killing the American people.

In November the American people responded to this lack of respect in the polls. They elected the Republican majority in the House, the Senate, and the President in the White House who truly believes in law and order.

The three bills that the rule provides consideration for are commonsense bills. If we entrust law enforcement officers to uphold the laws of our Nation and risk their lives daily, then we should be able to entrust them to carry their weapons unrestricted off duty and to purchase their former service weapons.

Like many of my colleagues, I agree that we would not have a nation without those we entrust in uniform, whether they serve in the military, as first responders, or as law enforcement officers.

Mr. Speaker, these men and women aren't honorable because of the badge they wear. They make the badge honorable because of the lives they live.

Every time I return to my district, I meet with the sheriffs of the 24 counties, cities, and towns I represent and hear directly from them about the troubles they face in the line of duty.

If we want to see safer streets and communities in our country, then we must ensure that we give law enforcement every tool possible so that they can make it through the day and return home safely.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I express my strong support for the rule and the underlying bills that it allows consideration for.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ.

Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to bring up H. Con. Res. 33.

This measure will ensure that the plaque honoring the brave police officers who defended us on January 6 is hung in the Capitol as required by law.

Mr. Speaker, you know it is Police Week, but Republicans for some reason refuse to put up the plaque honoring the heroic efforts by U.S. Capitol Police and other local and Federal law officers who defended us and our democracy on January 6.

It is not a scary thing. The plaque looks like this.

Don't you agree, Mr. Speaker?

It is lovely. It recognizes their heroic efforts, and it is the law. It was signed into law by the President that this plaque goes up.

What are they afraid of?

Why don't they want to honor the Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers who were beaten and battered?

Why is their support for police conditional?

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