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WASHINGTON – An area representative is taking a stand against the “defund the police” movement and calling for legislation to protect American law enforcement.
Congressman Tom Reed is pushing the “Defund Cities that Defund the Police Act,” which would prevent jurisdictions that defund law enforcement from receiving certain federal grants.
Specifically, defunding jurisdictions would be prohibited from receiving grants under certain Economic Development Assistance Programs, focused on planning and administrative expenses, and grants for training, research, and technical assistance, and the Community Development Block Grant Programs.
Reed says the law would also stop specific federal taxpayer dollars from supporting jurisdictions who intentionally make their communities “less safe”.
“We will continue to stand with the many brave men and women in law enforcement who work tirelessly to keep us safe,” said Reed in a statement on Wednesday. “Defunding or degrading our police officers is not a legitimate policy proposal; it is simply a dangerous, extremist platform that would put our law enforcement in harm’s way and leave our communities more susceptible to crime.”
Over the last two months, Reed has met with representatives from the law enforcement community, activists, and local leaders to help create a roadmap to enact police reform.
“Instead of taking critical resources away from our police, we should provide law enforcement with more tools, funding, and support to do their jobs effectively,” furthered Reed. “Working together in a bipartisan fashion, we can develop real solutions that will encourage positive reforms, improve training protocols, and facilitate the removal of bad apples in the force.”
The legislation was first introduced by Pennsylvania Pepresentative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), along with Reps. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), Will Hurd (TX-23), and Jared Golden (ME-02).
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