Press Releases
The Republican Recap: Week of May 12, 2025
Washington,
May 16, 2025
Here’s a recap of what Republicans achieved on the House Floor this week:
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 protecting 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. Across the country, law enforcement agencies struggle to keep departments staffed amidst the rise in anti-police sentiment and threats to police officer safety. As many Democrat cities learned the hard way, defunding police and perpetuating anti-police sentiment have devastating consequences on the safety of our officers and 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, 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 can improve preventative methods of addressing the physical and mental impacts on our law enforcement. Rep. Tim Moore’s legislation, H.R. 2240, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act of 2025, 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. “I’m proud that this legislation passed the House with wide bipartisan support at a time when our police officers need Congress to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and say enough is enough,” said Rep. Tim Moore. “This bill ensures we’re not turning a blind eye to the threats they face and the toll this job takes by improving how we track attacks, exposing patterns of violence, and making sure officers have access to the mental health care they’ve earned. If we want safe communities, we have to take care of the people who keep them safe.” What Members Said: “This National Police Week, I'm honored to stand behind our law enforcement as they keep our communities safe, and I'm especially proud to stand today and speak on behalf of H.R. 2240, the Improving Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act,” said Rep. Mark Harris. “Our nation's police are under constant attack, and they need Congress' steadfast support. This bill will shine a light on the threats that law enforcement face – threats that have steeply risen in number ever since the Left began its dangerous ‘Defund the Police’ rhetoric – and it will begin the process of expanding the resources available to law enforcement officials. I urge my colleagues today to stand with me and join with me in supporting the Improving Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, and let's ensure that our nation's police forces know that we have their back.”
Rep. Randy Feenstra stressed that we must work to protect our law enforcement from threats to their lives, and that H.R. 2240 requires DOJ reports to Congress on violent attacks against law enforcement.
 Expanding Concealed Carry Rights for Qualified Law Enforcement Officers ✅ The Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (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. 2243, the LEOSA Reform Act, 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. “I’m pleased the House passed my bipartisan LEOSA Reform Act, which offers real solutions to address threats such as terrorism and mass shootings by ensuring that our retired and off-duty law enforcement officers can exercise their right to concealed carry – no matter where they live or visit,” said Rep. Don Bacon. “These measured changes will make existing law stronger and more workable for those who seek its benefits while maintaining the rigorous standards that currently apply. I want to thank Rep. Henry Cuellar for his support of this important legislation. I also want to thank our extensive list of local and national law enforcement organizations supporting the LEOSA Reform Act.” What Members Said: “The Law Enforcement Officer Safety Reform Act, which reforms LEOSA, makes important updates to the existing LEOSA program. In 2004, President George W. Bush signed LEOSA into law. The law exempts certain active and retired law enforcement officers from local and state prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms,” said Rep. Derek Schmidt. “Many states allow state licensed concealed carry permit holders to carry a concealed firearm in gun free school zones and on public transportation in the state in which they are licensed – this bill affords qualified law enforcement officers the same privilege. This legislation improves public safety as our officers face increasingly greater dangers and current restrictions hinder their ability to carry firearms and protect themselves and others. At a time when violent crime continues to plague our nation, we must support our active and retired law enforcement officers and ensure they are able to protect themselves and to protect others no matter where they are in the United States.”
Rep. John Rutherford noted that there is no one better trained and equipped to safely use and carry firearms than our law enforcement officers, and H.R. 2243 keeps our LEOSA certified law enforcement officers ready to protect our communities.
Allowing Federal Law Enforcement to Purchase Service Weapons ✅ Right now, federal regulations require that service weapons be destroyed after they are retired from official use – making it impossible for police officers to purchase retired weapons. These regulations state that the service weapons must be made “completely inoperable and incapable of being made operable,” and that the weapon’s destruction must be carried out by someone authorized by the agency head and witnessed by two agency employees. The result is a massive waste of taxpayer dollars, as these firearms are paid for both when they go into circulation and when they are retired. Between fiscal years 2010 to 2017, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review found that federal law enforcement agencies reported spending at least $38.8 million on firearms. By selling these weapons to law enforcement instead of destroying them, we could save millions of wasted dollars, offset purchasing costs for new weapons, and potentially subsidize other agency expenses. House Republicans passed legislation to permit federal law enforcement to purchase their retired weapons, allowing agencies and taxpayers to avoid the cost of destroying these service weapons and recovering some of the cost for the weapon’s initial purchase. H.R. 2255, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, sponsored by Rep. Russell Fry, directs the General Services Administration to allow current and retired federal law enforcement officers to buy their retired service weapons at salvage value. “I’m thrilled to see the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act pass in the House,” said Rep. Russell Fry. “Not only will it save taxpayer dollars, it also creates a system in which law enforcement officers in good standing can exercise their Second Amendment rights by purchasing their retired service weapons. It is common sense legislation that recognizes the service of our federal officers while also encouraging responsible use of government resources.” What Members Said: Rep. Ben Cline highlighted that H.R. 2255 allows law enforcement to purchase retired service weapons instead of wasting millions by destroying them, saving taxpayer dollars and respecting those who served.
 Rep. Rich McCormick emphasized that H.R. 2255 backs our brave men and women in uniform by allowing them to purchase their retired service weapons at market value, empowering our officers, enhancing community safety, and saving taxpayer dollars.
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