South Bergen News

Fighting to Pass Bipartisan “Invest to Protect Act”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bipartisan legislation co-led by U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) just passed the House of Representatives during National Police Week to memorialize law enforcement officers tragically killed in the line of duty. Gottheimer helped lead the bipartisan H.Res.363 with Rep. Michael Guest (MS-3). 

This week, Gottheimer addressed the House floor to recognize National Police Week and to express his deep and unwavering support for our law enforcement officers and to honor the sacrifices they make to keep our families and communities safe. 

Watch Gottheimer’s remarks on the House floor here.

“Every day, our law enforcement officers put on a bulletproof vest, kiss their loved ones goodbye, and then put their lives on the line to look out for us. That’s why we must always get the backs of those who always have ours,” said Congressman Josh Gotthiemer (NJ-5), a member of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus. “I’m very proud to co-lead the bipartisan resolution which just passed the House to recognize ‘National Police Week’ and memorialize officers tragically killed in the line of duty. This week, Americans across our great nation honor and remember the more than 26,000 law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives to protect us. We will always honor their memory.”

“I want to thank the gentleman. You’re one of the hardest workers across the aisle I know, coming with us and joining on law enforcement issues, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your friendship,” said Congressman John Rutherford (FL-5), a retired sheriff, following Gottheimer’s floor speech.

Gottheimer recently introduced the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act in the House to make critical, targeted investments in small and midsize police departments with fewer than 200 sworn officers for the recruitment, retention, mental health support, and training they need to protect themselves and their communities.

The Invest to Protect Act is led by Gottheimer, along with former sheriff Rep. John Rutherford (FL-5), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-4), and retired NYPD detective Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4).

In the Senate, identical companion legislation is being led by Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

Last year, the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act passed the House with 360 votes, including 153 Republicans. The Senate also passed a version of the legislation last year, but the final agreed upon bill was not voted on.

Gottheimer’s bipartisan, bicameral Invest to Protect Act of 2023 will:

• Invest in officer safety, de-escalation, and domestic violence response training, allowing officers to receive critical training that will make them even more effective at their jobs;
• Create grants for small departments to recruit and retain new officers, to help keep their existing officers and recruit new ones;
• Allow departments to provide mental health resources for their officers; and,
• Authorize $50,000,000 of existing funding per year for 5 years for local police departments.
• Find text of the Invest to Protect Act here.

Watch Gottheimer’s floor remarks recognizing National Police Week here.

Original source can be found here.