On Friday, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning violence against law enforcement and opposing calls to defund the police. The measure passed with a vote of 337 to 61, with all Republicans and 134 Democrats voting in favor, while 61 Democrats voted against it.
This resolution marks the culmination of a series of law enforcement-related bills presented by House GOP leaders in honor of Police Week. The text of the resolution indirectly references the 2020 summer protests, suggesting that respect for law enforcement and the rule of law has declined since then.
The resolution criticizes certain progressive policies deemed “soft-on-crime” by its opponents, arguing that policies implemented in various state and local jurisdictions have made it more difficult and dangerous for law enforcement officers to perform their duties effectively. It specifically points to decreased penalties, no-bail policies, and a lack of accountability for violent criminals as contributing factors to rising crime rates in cities nationwide.
Representative Pete Stauber, a Republican from Minnesota who led the resolution, expressed his support on the House floor, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in recent years. “If you had asked me a few years ago if my children should become law enforcement officers, I would’ve undoubtedly said yes. But after these last few years, observing the treatment of law enforcement officers, I would have to think twice about my answer,” Stauber said. He lamented that police officers have been “villainized by Hollywood” and have become “punching bags,” yet they continue to serve despite the abuse. Democratic critics, however, have dismissed the resolution.
The vote comes on the heels of new FBI statistics revealing that assaults against law enforcement reached a ten-year high in 2023, with 79,000 recorded attacks.
