September 21, 2022

New Dem Chair DelBene Praises Agreement to Vote on Public Safety Legislation

In July, New Dem Leadership Endorsed Critical Public Safety Legislation Authored by New Dem Reps. Gottheimer, Horsford, and Demings to Invest in Critical Police Resources and Resources to Keep Americans Safe

Today, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Chair Suzan DelBene released a statement regarding the announcement that the House will vote tomorrow on a package of public safety legislation, including three bills authored by New Dem Members. In July, the Coalition’s leadership endorsed a package of seven public safety bills that would keep our communities safe by investing in key resources and reforms for law enforcement. New Dems worked with leadership and our colleagues in Congress to ensure that three of the endorsed bills will advance to the floor tomorrow. 

“New Dems have been working hard in Congress to ensure local police departments have the resources they need to protect our communities” said NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “In July, the leadership of our Coalition endorsed a slate of public safety bills that would invest in key reforms and resources that would keep our communities safe. After months of hard work, tomorrow the House will vote on three bills authored by New Dem Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Val Demings and Steven Horsford. I salute these Members for their efforts. 

“Crime doesn’t wait on Congress, that’s why we must act now. New Dems will continue working with our colleagues in the Senate to get this timely legislation to the President’s desk ASAP.” 

The public safety package includes three NDC-leadership endorsed bills: 

  • H.R. 6448, the Invest to Protect Act of 2022, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05)
  • H.R. 4118, the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04)
  • H.R. 5768, the VICTIM Act of 2021, Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) 

Passing this package builds on New Dems’ previous action to reduce crime, prevent gun violence, and improve public safety. New Dems helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, historic gun violence prevention legislation in July. Last year, New Dems passed the American Rescue Plan, providing critical funding for state and local law enforcement, and House Democrats also secured more than $100 million in Community Project Funding for law enforcement and community policing initiatives across the nation. 

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