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The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Thursday, May 16, 2024

Washington, May 16, 2024
Here’s what to watch for on the House Floor today:
 
Denouncing Biden’s Hold on Shipment of Critical Weapons to Israel

Since the barbaric October 7th terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against Israel that claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis and was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Israel has been under constant threat. Last month, Iran fired over 300 missiles and drones at Israel in an unprecedented and unjustified attack. Hamas continues to hold up to around 130 hostages of the over 240 they took on October 7th and wage war on Israel’s right to exist.

On Saturday, April 20, the House passed legislation to replenish Israel’s critical defensive systems, including the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, and provide additional weapons and munitions to Israel for their continued defense from terrorist groups and hostile actors in the region – legislation that President Biden signed into law.

Last week, however, President Biden threatened to withhold weapons and munitions from Israel if they entered Rafah, a major Hamas stronghold in Gaza, in order to appease radical leftists and pro-Palestine activists.


This is unacceptable. Israel is our greatest ally and friend, and military aid should be delivered without delay to support their defense and root out a terrorist organization who killed Israelis, who killed Americans, and who still hold around 130 hostages. We must hold the President accountable for his dangerous intimidation tactics that put the safety of our ally and the Israeli people at risk by emboldening Hamas. 

As Israel’s security continues to be threatened by Iran and its terrorist group proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, we must stand strongly with our friend and support Israel’s right to defend itself. Threats to Israel’s national security are threats to America’s national security.

H.R. 8369, the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert, condemns the Biden Administration’s dangerous hold on arms delivery to Israel, urges the swift delivery of defense articles and weapons, withholds funds from the Secretaries of Defense and State and the National Security Council until these articles are delivered, and supports Israel’s right to self defense.

It is not President Biden’s job to dictate to Israel how they should go about defending their right to exist and deterring violence against their people. House Republicans stand unequivocally with Israel in its war against terrorists and those that threaten its freedom.
 
 
Reporting on the Impact of Biden's Border Crisis on Law Enforcement

Every day, men and women who serve in law enforcement risk their lives to protect and defend our communities; however, thanks to President Biden’s disastrous border policies, their jobs have gotten significantly more difficult. 

By failing to enforce the United States’ border laws and refusing to remove illegal aliens from our country, even if they have committed crimes, the Biden Administration has ensured that the number of illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. has increased considerably over their tenure. 


Meanwhile, the removal of criminal illegal aliens has significantly decreased, as the Biden Administration has made it harder to arrest and deport those immigrants who commit crimes in our communities. In fiscal year 2023, 41 percent fewer criminal illegal immigrants were deported than in fiscal year 2020, and around 60 percent fewer were removed than in fiscal year 2019. 

The most dangerous consequences of Biden’s open border, such as the fentanyl crisis and drug smuggling, violent gang activity, and human trafficking, fall squarely on the shoulders of our hardworking law enforcement officers. This has particularly strained local law enforcement whose communities are suffering under the President’s border failures, as they have to manage these dangerous ramifications that typically have been handled by federal agencies. 

As violence against law enforcement continues to rise, including violent interactions with Border patrol, state police, and local officers perpetuated by illegal immigrants, it is vital we support our police and ensure they have what they need to defend themselves and their communities.

H.R. 8146, the Police Our Border Act, sponsored by Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, requires the Attorney General to report detailed information on how Biden’s border crisis impacts our law enforcement, including exposure to dangers such as fentanyl and human traffickers, injuries sustained, financial burdens, and operational strains.

It’s well past time President Biden secured our border and lessened the burden his policies have placed on law enforcement officers.
 
 
Expanding Concealed Carry Rights for Qualified Law Enforcement Officers  

The Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act, otherwise known as LEOSA, permits qualified active or retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms.

A qualified law enforcement officer, as defined by LEOSA, is a government agency employee who is legally authorized to “engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory powers of arrest or apprehension,” in addition to meeting other standards.

LEOSA, however, contains many exceptions, such as bans on carrying a concealed weapon on certain state, local and federal property and in school zones. These restrictions place burdensome red tape on concealed carry rights that can hinder law enforcement officers from keeping our communities safe.

Whether police officers are on duty or off, they diligently serve and protect America’s communities at their own risk. By expanding LEOSA and removing troublesome regulations limiting concealed carry rights for qualified active and retired officers, we would help brave officers keep both our communities and themselves safe. 

Rep. Don Bacon’s legislation, H.R. 354, the LEOSA Reform Act of 2024, broadens the ability of qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in areas such as school zones, national parks, federal facilities open to the public, and state, local, or private property open to the public.

House Republicans are working to alleviate restraints on concealed-carry rights to ensure brave and qualified officers are able to protect American communities without undue burdens.