Judiciary Committee Advances Bills Supporting Law Enforcement to Conclude National Police Week

WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Police Week, the Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced a package of bills supporting America’s law enforcement officers and their families. Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) also led 85 of his colleagues in a resolution commemorating the service of America’s law enforcement officers.

 

“As crime rates soar, we need to empower police by providing them with needed protection and resources so they can do their jobs safely and effectively – especially since dangerous anti-law enforcement rhetoric has demoralized police forces across the country. Still, law enforcement officers bravely put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. The legislation we’ve advanced for National Police Week is a small way we recognize and thank police and their families for their service and sacrifice,” Grassley said.

 

Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act (S.4007)

Grassley led a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2022 to help police, fire, emergency medical and 911 personnel cope with the stresses of responding to crisis situations. The bill would establish mental health programs for America’s first responders who often face long-term effects from providing life-saving services in moments of crisis. The bill advanced in committee by voice vote without objection.

 

Invest to Protect Act (S.3860)

Over 90 percent of all police departments nationally have fewer than 200 full-time officers. Grassley partnered with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) to introduce the Invest to Protect Act, which seeks to provide $250 million over the next five years to small law enforcement agencies across the country. This funding will help them invest in training, equipment, mental health support and recruitment and retention of officers. The bill advanced in committee by voice vote without objection.

 

Building off the purpose of the Invest to Protect Act, this proposal would allow Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant funds to be utilized for recruiting and retaining local police officers, with a focus on encouraging officers to live in the communities they serve. The bill advanced in committee by voice vote without objection.

 

Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (S.4003)

This legislation seeks to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for training on alternatives to use of force, including de-escalation and mental and behavioral health and suicidal crises training. The bill advanced in committee by voice vote without objection.

 

Last week, Grassley met with the Iowa State Police Association to thank them for their service, and he led a press conference to highlight rising crime rates and the need to support law enforcement.

 

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