Press Releases
The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Washington,
May 15, 2024
Here’s what to watch for on the House Floor today:
Removing Migrants Who Assault Police From Our Streets
For over three years, the Biden Administration and Secretary Mayorkas have not only failed in their duties to ensure America’s borders are secure, but also have made sure the illegal immigrants entering the U.S. can remain for as long as they wish – even if they commit crimes – by making it harder for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain criminal aliens. President Biden’s failures at the border have turned every state into a border state, and illegal immigrants across the country have committed crimes against our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect those communities, only to be released back onto our streets. Currently, there are over 615,000 illegal immigrants on the ICE non-detained docket who have been convicted of a crime or have pending criminal charges, meaning these criminal aliens are roaming freely in our communities, able to commit any more crimes they please. Just this January, Americans watched footage of a crowd of more than a dozen migrants viciously beating two NYPD officers close to Times Square. While six men were arrested for this heinous assault on officers who risk their lives every day to keep the city safe, all but one were released without bail shortly after being arrested, and the sixth illegal immigrant was later released on bail.  This is completely unacceptable. We should be detaining criminal illegal immigrants and ensuring their swift removal from the United States, not releasing them onto the streets to commit more crimes in American communities. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s legislation, H.R. 7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, requires that illegal aliens who assault law enforcement officers are quickly arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) until they are removed from the United States. House Republicans will continue to prioritize the safety of our law enforcement officers and our communities, and fight to ensure that illegal immigrants who commit crimes against our law enforcement are quickly removed from our streets.  Keeping Communities Safe from Soft-on-Crime Policies Despite skyrocketing crime, including against Members of Congress, and decreasing numbers of police officers in our nation’s capital, the D.C. Council continues to enact soft-on-crime policies that put residents and visitors of Washington, D.C., at risk. In 2023, D.C. crime was up by 30 percent, homicides rose 29 percent, violent crime increased 37 percent, robberies were up by 65 percent, and motor vehicle theft rose 107 percent when compared with the previous year. Meanwhile, the D.C. Metropolitan Police numbers are the lowest they have been in the past 50 years.  Now, once again, House Republicans are bringing forward legislation to keep Americans safe in our nation’s capital. Our legislation addresses juvenile crime by lowering the age that defines a “youth” from under 25 to under 18, requires the D.C. Attorney General to create a website with juvenile crime statistics so policymakers can better create policy reforms, and blocks the D.C. Council from making any more changes to mandatory minimum sentences or sentencing parameters. The American people are fed up with out-of-control crime. We must take actions to ensure criminals are kept off our streets and crimes do not go lightly punished. H.R. 7530, the DC CRIMES Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds, allows Congress to exert their oversight power over the D.C. Council and promote safety in Washington by blocking the Council’s pursuit of soft-on-crime sentencing and radical progressive policies. While the D.C. Council continues to pass and defend laws that make it easier for violent criminals to walk the streets, House Republicans are fighting to keep our nation’s capital safe.  Comprehensively Combating Violent Crime Against Law Enforcement
Over the last few years, Democrats’ embrace of the radical “Defund the Police” and “No Cash Bail” movements and anti-police rhetoric have made our communities less safe and fueled violence against the dedicated law enforcement officers working to protect Americans. In 2022, 64 police officers were killed in the line of duty, with the leading cause of death being ambush-style attacks that claimed the lives of 11 officers. 30 percent of these casualties were caused by unprovoked attacks or ambushes on officers. As they are being increasingly targeted for simply doing their jobs to protect our communities, police are also facing rising violent crime and reductions in police funding and staffing – across the country, law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep departments staffed amidst the rise in anti-police sentiment and threats to police officer safety. As many cities have learned the hard way, defunding police and perpetuating anti-police sentiment have devastating consequences on both the safety of our officers and our communities. We should be standing up for the brave men and women who risk their lives to defend our streets, not implementing soft-on-crime legislation or stirring up animosity towards police. Currently, however, data collection surrounding violent and ambush attacks on law enforcement is lacking or too narrow. By expanding the types of data collected surrounding violence against police and gaining a better understanding of the circumstances, we could improve preventative measures and methods of addressing the physical and mental impacts on our law enforcement. Rep. Dan Bishop’s legislation, H.R. 7581, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act of 2024, requires the Attorney General to assemble reports on violence against law enforcement officers and the effectiveness of programs meant to provide law enforcement with wellness resources and protective equipment so we may comprehensively enhance the safety of police officers. House Republicans won’t stop standing up for our men and women in blue as they face increasing challenges and threats to their safety.  Investing in Safer and More Efficient Air Travel
The United States has long held the gold standard for air travel and aviation safety; however, due to a lack of innovation, bureaucratic hurdles, a shortage of aviation professionals, and increasing global competition, other countries like China are starting to pass us by. The United States must maintain its global leadership in aviation by constantly advancing technology and improving the traveling experience for passengers. Investing in our aviation workforce and infrastructure improves the safety of air travel, creates good jobs, and broadens the aviation workforce pipeline. It is vital that we reauthorize these important programs as well as continue to improve our aviation system to ensure America remains the gold standard. Today, the House will vote on legislation to reauthorize FAA safety and infrastructure programs. The legislation includes targeted reforms to increase efficiency by cutting red tape, supports pilots and addresses workforce shortages, invests in U.S. airport infrastructure, promotes innovation in aviation, and improves the traveling experience for passengers. The safety and leadership of America’s aviation sector impacts every American. We must ensure that United States aviation continues to set the bar on the world stage. S. Amdt. to H.R. 3935, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years. It’s time to pass this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reauthorize and improve the Federal Aviation Administration, which is critical to secure our global leadership in air travel, support the economy with millions of jobs, make the system safer and more efficient for travelers, and ensure the future of American aviation.  |