Expressing support for the Nation's law enforcement agencies and condemning any efforts to defund or dismantle law enforcement agencies.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 5 Expressing support for the Nation’s law enforcement agencies and condemning any efforts to defund or dismantle law enforcement agencies. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 9, 2023 Mr. TIFFANY (for himself, Mrs. HINSON, Mr. FITZGERALD, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, Mrs. LESKO, Mr. LANGWORTHY, Mr. GARBARINO, Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania, Mr. WENSTRUP, and Mrs. CHAVEZ-DEREMER) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing support for the Nation’s law enforcement agen- cies and condemning any efforts to defund or dismantle law enforcement agencies. Whereas law enforcement officers protect the American peo- ple from criminals who seek to perpetrate violence and harm innocent lives regardless of the political cir- cumstances of the day; Whereas the brave men and women of the law enforcement community continually summon the courage to fulfill their solemn oath to ensure the safety of our commu- nities and provide peace of mind for our Nation’s citi- zens; VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Jan 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC5.IH HC5 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HCON 5 IH Whereas America’s law enforcement community also seeks to assist the communities they serve through a variety of nontraditional means, including nonarrest pathways that connect individuals with treatment and recovery pro- grams to overcome addiction, and juvenile diversion pro- grams to prevent minors from entering the criminal jus- tice system; Whereas supporting law enforcement officers with the equip- ment, training, and funding necessary to serve our com- munities and keep our streets safe has long been a bipar- tisan issue; Whereas law enforcement officers willingly face dangerous circumstances and the threat of serious bodily injury or death on a daily basis to ensure the safety of all Ameri- cans; Whereas the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Muse- um’s 2021 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report detailed that 458 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2021, an increase of 55 percent from the previous year, including 62 officers who were killed in firearms-related incidents; Whereas protests have been hijacked by violent extremists seeking to sow discord, damage property, loot businesses, and inflict harm against civilians and law enforcement of- ficers; Whereas law enforcement officers have been run over, shot, hit with objects, and stabbed attempting to maintain peace and the rule of law; Whereas progressive politicians and interest groups have re- sponded to this violence with calls to defund State and local law enforcement agencies across the Nation; VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Jan 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC5.IH HC5 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HCON 5 IH Whereas defunding or otherwise handcuffing law enforcement officers will make officers less likely to intervene in dan- gerous situations and will result in law enforcement pull- ing back from the neighborhoods they are entrusted to protect; Whereas violent crime increases when law enforcement is forced to withdraw from neighborhoods; Whereas the vilification of the Nation’s law enforcement offi- cers and the embracing of hateful rhetoric against these brave men and women only places them further in harm’s way; Whereas these brave men and women must operate in an en- vironment where their moral and legal authority is con- stantly being scrutinized, and they undertake the critical yet difficult task of addressing the actions of those af- fected by addiction, homelessness, and mental illness; and Whereas efforts to defund police departments will cause ir- reparable and lasting damage to the Nation: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That Congress— 2 (1) offers its sincere gratitude and appreciation 3 to the Nation’s law enforcement officers who protect 4 and serve our communities; 5 (2) recognizes the great sacrifice our law en- 6 forcement officers make to keep the Nation safe; 7 and 8 VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Jan 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC5.IH HC5 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 4 •HCON 5 IH (3) rejects the misguided and dangerous efforts 1 to defund and dismantle the Nation’s State and local 2 law enforcement agencies. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Jan 10, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC5.IH HC5 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB