The House approved three bills Wednesday aimed at supporting law enforcement during National Police Week The legislation was largely opposed by Democrats, as leaders on the left decried GOP attempts to downplay the events of Jan. 6, 2021, reports The Hill. While the bills have slim odds of moving in the Democratic-controlled Senate, they are part of Republicans’ efforts to spotlight crime, a central issue to voters ahead of the November elections and a key vulnerability for President Biden. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and GOP leadership held a press conference alongside two law enforcement officials, accusing Democrats — especially the Biden administration — of pursuing a “pro-crime, anti-law enforcement agenda.”
“This National Police Week, House Republicans will counteract the Democrats’ pro-crime anti-police agenda by bringing seven bills to the floor that support our nation’s law enforcement and give them the resources they need to keep our communities safe,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). In response, Rep Pete Aguilar (D-CA), chair of the Democratic Caucus, said his party wants to cooperate with the GOP "to get things done” on police reform, but the tendency of some Republicans to defend the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters has challenged that cooperation. One bill passed Wednesday, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, calls for the detention of undocumented immigrants who assault law enforcement officers. The second would lower Washington, D.C.’s youth offender status to those younger than 18 years old and prevent the city council from changing its sentencing laws. The third received overwhelmingly bipartisan support. The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, would require the attorney general to submit a report on violent attacks against law enforcement officers.
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