- 5 months ago
During remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) criticized President Trump's withholding of federal grants during a debate on a series of law enforcement funding bills.
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00:00unanimous consent to pass a package of bipartisan bills that will support current and former law
00:07enforcement officers who have sacrificed so much, sometimes everything, to protect our families.
00:14Yesterday morning, three people died in a shooting in my home state in Reno, Nevada.
00:20And just hours later, four people died, including a law enforcement officer,
00:25in a shooting in New York City.
00:27The only reason more people didn't die is because law enforcement responded quickly.
00:33Law enforcement officers run towards danger for the rest of us.
00:38These are the people we're supporting with the package of bills today.
00:41This package includes three pieces of legislation that I am proud to co-sponsor,
00:46and one I introduced myself.
00:48I am a co-sponsor of S-419, the Reauthorizing Support and Treatment of Officers in Crisis Act,
00:54introduced by Senator Hawley.
00:56This bipartisan bill would help fund family support, suicide prevention,
01:02and other mental health services to law enforcement officers.
01:06I'm also a co-sponsor of S-1316, the Strong Communities Act, introduced by Senator Peters.
01:12This is bipartisan legislation that would make law enforcement recruits eligible for funding
01:21to make their education and training programs more affordable in return for their commitment
01:26to service to our communities.
01:28And finally, I'm co-sponsoring S-539, the bipartisan Protect Our Children Reauthorization Act,
01:35introduced by Senator Cornyn.
01:37This bill authorizes funding for the Department of Justice to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement
01:43agencies in investigating and prosecuting child exploitation.
01:48These bills, along with four others, including my colleague, Senator Klobuchar,
01:55these bills honor our law enforcement officers and have support from both Republicans and Democrats.
02:01The legislation I want to focus on today is S-9-1-1, the bipartisan Chief Herbert D. Profit Act,
02:08which I was proud to introduce with Senator Mitch McConnell.
02:12The men and women who serve as law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep our community safe.
02:18Whether they're actively serving or have retired in good standing, we owe them a debt of gratitude.
02:25That's why the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program exists.
02:30It provides death and education benefits to the surviving family members of fallen law enforcement officers,
02:37firefighters, and other first responders.
02:40It also provides disability benefits to officers who have suffered irreparable injuries in the line of duty.
02:47It's a critical program that supports the families of those who sacrificed everything to protect our communities.
02:54Unfortunately, the existing PSOB program does not cover the rare instance in which a retired law enforcement officer dies as a result of their service.
03:07In 2012, Chief Herbert D. Profit, a retired law enforcement officer in Kentucky, was going about his day.
03:16And when he went outside his house to check his mail,
03:18he was tragically shot and killed by a man he had arrested a decade earlier.
03:25And even though his murder was a direct retaliation for his service in uniform,
03:30Chief Prophet's family was denied the benefits they deserved simply because he had already retired.
03:38To me, that is unacceptable.
03:40And I know my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree.
03:44That's why Senator McConnell and I worked together to write the Chief Herbert D. Profit Act
03:49to ensure that families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not denied benefits.
03:58So no more families have to go through what Chief Prophet's family has gone through.
04:02This is just common sense bipartisan legislation that passed unanimously out of the Judiciary Committee.
04:11Unanimously.
04:11I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and the rest of the bipartisan bills in this package
04:18to protect the men and women who protect us every day and their families.
04:23And I would like at this time, Mr. President, to provide an opportunity for my colleague from Iowa
04:30to yield some time to him, the Judiciary Chairman right now, to provide some remarks.
04:37Mr. President.
04:39The Senator from Iowa.
04:40Yeah.
04:40First of all, I thank Senator from Nevada for coming to the floor to push for passage of these bipartisan bills
04:54that she has mentioned.
04:56I also see that Senator Klobuchar is on the floor to seek like legislation that she has worked on
05:06in a bipartisan way to protect law enforcement and first responders, and I would also support her efforts.
05:15Law enforcement across the country put their lives on the line every day.
05:22We see examples of the dangers they face on the news in our communities on a daily basis.
05:31This month, immigration and customs enforcement reported on 830 percent increase in assaults on their officers and agents during the course of their enforcement duties.
05:48Agents and officers had rocks and other projectiles thrown at them, causing injury to person and property.
05:59These agents and officers have been doxxed and had their home addresses, family members' names and other personal information posted on social media for anyone to see,
06:15which has resulted in an increased number of threats and intimidations to these law enforcement personnel and their families.
06:26We had the opportunity to hear firsthand from three federal law enforcement officers during Judiciary Committee hearing on cartels last month about the ongoing risk and dangers to law enforcement.
06:42We had Special Agent in Charge Matthew Allen of Los Angeles Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration testify that his agents are oftentimes surveilled
06:55by cartel members by cartel members and other bad actors.
06:58He further testified that he has lost several friends and fellow law enforcement officers as a result of their law enforcement duties.
07:09And just recently, we learned that an off-duty Custom and Border Protection officer
07:15was shot in the face in New York City during an attempted robbery by a previously deported illegal alien.
07:26Thankfully, the officer is expected to survive.
07:31According to the Federal Fraternity Order of Police, as of June 30th this year,
07:37166 officers were shot in the line of duty.
07:4121 of them lost their life.
07:43While these numbers are lower than from previous years,
07:48the shooting this weekend is yet another example of the threats and dangers of our men and women in blue facing every day,
08:00both on and off duty.
08:03Earlier this year, Senator Durbin, who is also on the floor with us,
08:07and he's a ranking member of the committee I chair,
08:11he and I led a resolution honoring 234 officers who made the ultimate sacrifice
08:19and are being recognized as line-of-duty deaths.
08:23It passed with over 80 co-sponsors.
08:26We worked together across the aisle to report these bills that are being discussed here on the floor of the Senate.
08:34Those bills were voted out of committee on what we honor as Police Week in the United States.
08:42The seven bills are part of the largest Police Week packages in over 15 years.
08:50The package of seven bills passed the committee with bipartisan support and also by unanimous vote.
08:58They provide a good example of the extensive problems facing our law enforcement community.
09:05For example, one bill deals with recruitment and retention issues to ensure our law enforcement is well-staffed.
09:14Other bills deal with protecting law enforcement from the dangers of fentanyl
09:18and providing law enforcement with the equipment that they need to serve our communities.
09:23Lastly, the bills provide the protection to families of first responders
09:29and provide the much-needed resources for mental health of law enforcement.
09:35Mr. President, I'd like to yield back to the Senator from Nevada.
09:40Mr. President?
09:41Senator from Nevada.
09:43I so appreciate a colleague from Iowa and the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee
09:47and all the good work he has done on these important pieces of legislation
09:52as they really work toward ensuring that all of our communities across the country stay safe
09:58and we are supporting our law enforcement.
10:00So, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed
10:05to the immediate consideration of the following bills in block.
10:10Cal No. 77, S-180.
10:12Cal No. 79, S-419.
10:16Cal No. 80, S-539.
10:18Cal No. 81, S-911.
10:21Cal No. 82, S-1316.
10:24Cal No. 83, S-1563.
10:28Cal No. 84, S-1595.
10:31Further, that the committee reported substitute amendment to S-1563 be agreed to
10:36and the committee reported amendment to S-1316 be agreed to,
10:40that the committee reported substitute amendment to S-539 be withdrawn
10:44and the Cornyn substitute amendment at the desk be agreed to.
10:48Finally, that the bills as amended, if amended, be considered read a third time
10:52and passed in block
10:54and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all in block.
10:59Is there an objection?
11:01Preserving the right to reject.
11:03Senator from New Jersey.
11:04Thank you very much.
11:05I'm reserving the right to reject.
11:06I want to begin by acknowledging the tragic loss
11:10of a New York City police officer,
11:14Dideral Islam, last night, just about 15 miles from where I live.
11:18He made the ultimate sacrifice, bravely placing himself in harm's way
11:22to protect strangers, people he didn't know,
11:27because that's what American police officers do.
11:29This selfless commitment is a daily reminder.
11:35It's a reminder of the reality for police officers in America
11:39who risked their lives to safeguard communities.
11:42My deepest condolences go out to his family and his young children
11:46during this time of unimaginable grief.
11:50I rise today to propose an amendment to the bills before us,
11:55one that guarantees every officer in every state,
12:01like Officer Islam, has the full support they deserve
12:05in their service to our communities from this body.
12:11Sadly, this is not what the Justice Department is doing.
12:15Rather than supporting law enforcement agencies
12:18and officers equally across the nation,
12:22they are weaponizing public safety grants
12:25to punish state and local jurisdictions
12:28that resist the Trump policy agenda,
12:33including my home state of New Jersey.
12:36The Department of Justice is right now
12:39withholding funds from law enforcement agencies
12:42across the country, including New Jersey,
12:47that we have passed through this body
12:49in a bipartisan way
12:50unless they enforce the administration's
12:54unjust immigration agenda
12:56and comply with the president's
12:58unjust and unlawful executive orders and memoranda.
13:04It is disgraceful.
13:07It is unfair.
13:08It is unjust.
13:09And it is dangerously reckless towards the officers
13:14whose well-being they are jeopardizing.
13:16Officers like the ones I know personally
13:21who serve and protect New Jersey.
13:26Come on now.
13:27Federal funds should not be used
13:29for partisan political games.
13:33They shouldn't be weaponized
13:35to benefit this state that supported the president
13:38and this state that didn't support the president.
13:41This is the shift towards authoritarianism.
13:45It is undermining the separation of powers
13:48we have here in America.
13:53This body has duly approved grants.
13:58It is our job.
13:59It is spelled out in the Constitution
14:00that each of us has sworn an oath to protect.
14:02And this president is upending that process,
14:06violating the will of this body,
14:09Democrats and Republicans alike,
14:11in pursuit of his petty political agenda.
14:14And who is getting hurt?
14:15Well, in this case,
14:16New Jersey police officers are being hurt.
14:19New York police officers are getting hurt
14:23in the wake of a murder of a police officer
14:27in New York yesterday.
14:29This is outrageous.
14:35Public safety grants like these
14:39that I am a co-sponsor of
14:42are not meant to reward law enforcement
14:46in favored jurisdictions or state
14:48while punishing others.
14:50It shouldn't matter whether a person
14:52puts on his uniform in Texas or New Jersey.
14:56Does it matter that Officer Islam,
14:59who was killed last night in New York City,
15:03does it matter that he's a New York cop
15:05and not a North Dakota cop?
15:11Sadly, it appears that Donald Trump thinks so.
15:14And for us as a body to move forward right now
15:17is being complicit in what Donald Trump is doing.
15:20I say no.
15:21I say we stand.
15:23I say we fight.
15:24I say we reject this.
15:25And in a bipartisan way,
15:27that we demand an end
15:29to this kind of constitutionally unjust
15:33carving up of the resources we approve.
15:37Think about this.
15:38In April,
15:40Donald Trump's administration
15:42cut nearly 400 public safety grants
15:45administered by its Office of Justice programs
15:49without any notice or explanation.
15:53Think about that for a second.
15:56Programs that I supported,
15:59programs that I co-sponsored,
16:01programs that protect police officers
16:03and communities,
16:04he canceled without a justification.
16:07I have written letters
16:09to the Justice Department.
16:11They have not given a justification.
16:13I've asked in open hearings,
16:16why did you cut this funding
16:18for approved grants
16:19to states like New Jersey?
16:21No justification.
16:25I sent a letter to the DOJ
16:27signed by 30 of my colleagues
16:28demanding information
16:30about what happened
16:31and that they reinstate all grants
16:33that had been rescinded
16:34and no action
16:35and no response.
16:38And yet today,
16:39we want to move forward
16:40with needed grant programs
16:42to protect police officers,
16:44but that money won't go to New York.
16:47That money won't go to New Jersey.
16:51You've got to be kidding me.
16:53When will we stand
16:54and fight this president?
16:56This offers little consolation.
17:03Today, nobody is speaking
17:05to the organizations in New Jersey,
17:08to the police officers in New Jersey
17:09that partner with law enforcement
17:13but now lack the resources
17:15to endure a Burntison appeal
17:17to operate without critical grants
17:20or fundings now for months.
17:22When are we going to stand up
17:24as a body
17:25and defend our work,
17:27defend our jurisdiction,
17:29defend this co-equal branch
17:30of government?
17:31I ask my colleagues
17:33to pass these bills
17:35with my amendment
17:36to provide resources
17:38to law enforcement agencies
17:40with this important provision
17:42that safeguards these grants
17:44from politicization
17:45and ensures that all law enforcement agencies
17:49have their fair chance
17:50to secure these important grants
17:53or officers have the hardest job
17:57in America every day
17:59they put their lives on the line.
18:01Why would we do something today
18:03that's playing
18:05into the president's politics
18:06and is going to hurt the officers
18:08in states like mine?
18:10I believe in these bills.
18:12I'm a co-sponsor on some
18:14and that's why I'm standing here
18:16to fight to ensure police departments
18:19in New Jersey aren't excluded
18:20from accessing these vital funds.
18:24Our officers have just as much
18:26of a right as officers
18:27in other states.
18:29So do officers in California,
18:31in New York,
18:32in Illinois,
18:35in Washington,
18:36and other states
18:38that have been the target
18:39of this Department of Justice.
18:43I am an American.
18:43I pledge allegiance
18:45to that flag.
18:47Liberty and justice for all.
18:51Pass my amendment
18:52and make sure
18:54that all officers in America
18:56who put their lives on the line
18:58have access to these grants.
19:06I ask the consent,
19:10that consent be modified,
19:12the bill be modified,
19:14that my amendments
19:14to S-180,
19:16S-419,
19:17S-539,
19:19S-1316,
19:21and S-1563,
19:23which are at the desk,
19:24also be agreed to.
19:27And the bills,
19:28as amended,
19:29if amended,
19:29be considered read
19:30a third time
19:32and passed in block
19:33so that all police officers
19:35in America
19:36can get the intended resources
19:39that the Judiciary Committee
19:41passed unanimously
19:42for American police.
19:46Is there an objection
19:47to the modification?
19:48Mr. President.
19:49The Senator from Nevada.
19:51Reserving the right
19:51to object.
19:53I agree.
19:55Withholding funding
19:56for law enforcement
19:58anywhere in the country,
20:00across the country,
20:01is just not acceptable.
20:02And it should not be done.
20:03And it should not be based
20:06on party affiliation,
20:08playing favoritism.
20:09I absolutely agree.
20:11But I also agree
20:12that two wrongs
20:13don't make a right.
20:15And where we are today,
20:17these bills passed unanimously
20:19out of the Judiciary Committee
20:21weeks ago.
20:23And my colleague from New Jersey,
20:25I have respect for him.
20:26He's on the committee.
20:27He voted to pass these bills.
20:29He had an opportunity
20:31at that time
20:32to present this amendment.
20:35This is the first time
20:36we're ever hearing about it.
20:38We've been trying to pass
20:40these package of bills
20:41that passed out of committee
20:42unanimously
20:43for the last eight weeks.
20:46And now that we came
20:48to the floor
20:48to try to push
20:49and get this done,
20:51we are hearing
20:51for the first time
20:52about this amendment.
20:54Now let me just say,
20:55this amendment
20:56really is not even
20:57applicable to the bill
20:58that is part of this.
21:00This has nothing
21:02to do with grant funding.
21:03His bill has everything
21:04to do with trying
21:04to make sure
21:06that grant funding
21:07goes to all the states.
21:08My bill doesn't even
21:08talk about grant funding.
21:09There's no funding
21:10associated with it.
21:11But yet he wants
21:12to put it on
21:13my piece of legislation.
21:15This is why
21:15this is ridiculous.
21:17This is an attempt
21:18to kill all of these bills.
21:20I don't know why.
21:22I don't know why.
21:24Because at the end
21:25of the day,
21:26all of these bills
21:27are about bipartisan support.
21:30And if my colleague
21:31absolutely has concerns
21:32about getting funding
21:34to his law enforcement,
21:35I'd be willing
21:36to work with him.
21:37I would be willing
21:38to work,
21:38and I know my colleagues
21:39would,
21:39to figure out
21:40how we ensure
21:41that this administration
21:42doesn't play favorites
21:43and is fighting
21:45for that funding
21:46and holding them
21:46accountable
21:47to get that funding
21:48to all of our
21:49law enforcement communities
21:51across this country.
21:53I agree.
21:53President Trump's
21:54impoundment of funding.
21:55It is a serious concern.
21:58But tacking on
21:59a poison pill
22:00language to these bills
22:01won't guarantee
22:02any additional funding,
22:04makes it to New Jersey,
22:06Nevada,
22:06or any other state.
22:08Instead,
22:09what it will do,
22:10it will keep critical bills
22:12from passing
22:13in the first place.
22:14Now,
22:15let me just say that again.
22:16These are critical bills.
22:18One bill,
22:19the Protecting First Responders
22:20for Secondary Exposure Act.
22:21It requires purchasing devices
22:23that prevent secondary exposure
22:25to fentanyl
22:25and other lethal substances.
22:29Reauthorizing Support
22:29and Treatment for Officers
22:30and Crisis Act of 2025.
22:32It provides family support
22:34and mental health services
22:35to law enforcement personnel.
22:37Protect Our Children
22:38Reauthorization Act of 2025.
22:40It assists federal,
22:42state,
22:42and local law enforcement agencies
22:43in investigating
22:44and prosecuting
22:46child exploitation.
22:48And we are sitting here today
22:49saying that is not going to pass.
22:51Even though it came out
22:52of committee unanimously.
22:55Even though there was a time
22:56to address the concerns
22:58that my colleague has
22:59and now he wants to kill
23:00all of these bills.
23:03Some of them that his amendment
23:04is not even applicable to.
23:06So you've got to question
23:07what is going on here.
23:09Is this the right venue
23:10to fight for what he is seeking?
23:12And I absolutely respect him
23:14and understand his concern.
23:16And be willing to fight with him
23:18to get that funding,
23:19essential funding,
23:19into a state
23:20that this administration
23:21apparently is blocking.
23:23But this is not the way
23:26to go about it.
23:27To kill all of these bills
23:29with this poison pill amendment.
23:31And for that reason,
23:32Mr. President, I object.
23:33Is there an objection
23:35to the original request?
23:37Reserving the right to object.
23:38Senator from New Jersey.
23:39I'm confused by my colleague
23:41because she knows
23:43I don't object to her two bills.
23:44She's going to be coming here
23:46to offer her two bills
23:47in a second.
23:47So I don't know
23:48what the confusion is there.
23:50I object to the bills
23:51that are putting resources out
23:56that states from California
23:58to New York
23:59are not eligible for
24:01because of the actions
24:02of this president.
24:03The second thing
24:03my colleague confuses me
24:06is saying I had my chance.
24:09Well, actually, I didn't.
24:11The regularly scheduled
24:13Judiciary Committee hearing
24:14wrapped up.
24:17And then a hastily one
24:18was put back together.
24:19I had no notice of that,
24:20no ability to plan for it,
24:21and had a conflict.
24:26This, to me,
24:27is the problem
24:27with Democrats in America
24:28right now.
24:30Is we're willing
24:31to be complicit
24:32to Donald Trump
24:33to let this pass through
24:35when we have
24:36all the leverage
24:36right now there is
24:38to say if you're
24:40as passionate about police
24:41as we are,
24:43then pass bills
24:43out of this body
24:44that will help
24:45the police officers
24:46in Washington,
24:47that will help
24:48the police officers
24:48in Illinois,
24:49that will help
24:50the police officers
24:51in New Jersey,
24:52that will help
24:52the police officers
24:53in New York.
24:53Don't be complicit
24:54to the president
24:55of the United States
24:55who we both know
24:59doesn't understand
25:01that language.
25:02Oh, please, oh, please,
25:03don't hurt blue states.
25:05We are standing
25:09at a moment
25:09where our president
25:10is eviscerating
25:11the Constitution
25:12of the United States
25:13of America,
25:14and we're willing
25:15to go along
25:15with that today.
25:16No, no,
25:17not on my watch.
25:20I stand against this.
25:23It is a violation
25:24of our Constitution
25:25for the president
25:26of the United States
25:27to ignore the will
25:29of Congress
25:29and decide which states
25:31are eligible to grants
25:32and which are not.
25:34Well, we know something
25:35in New York
25:35and New Jersey.
25:39I was a Newark
25:40elected official
25:41when 9-11 happened.
25:44I saw my first responders
25:46charging in
25:49to those buildings.
25:54I know what police officers
25:56do every day.
25:59My amendment was just called
26:01the poison pill.
26:02That's ridiculous.
26:06Well, my amendment was.
26:08It says the police officers
26:09in New Jersey
26:10are just as important
26:12as the police officers
26:14in North or South Dakota.
26:15It says the police officers
26:16in New York
26:18are just as important
26:19as the police officers
26:20in Texas.
26:21It says the police officers
26:23in California
26:24are just as important
26:27as the police officers
26:28in Alabama.
26:30Why would we go along
26:31with a president
26:32who is violating
26:34our Constitution
26:36time and time again?
26:38When in the history
26:39of this body
26:40Democrats and Republicans
26:44used to stand up
26:45for their turf?
26:48These could easily pass,
26:50put a simple amendment
26:51that says,
26:52you know what,
26:52you can play games
26:53however you want,
26:54President Trump.
26:56But when it comes
26:57to resources
26:57for police officers,
26:58no games.
27:01Today,
27:02I stand and fight
27:02for the Constitution.
27:03I stand and fight
27:04against this president
27:06and heck yeah,
27:07I'm going to stand
27:08and fight
27:08for the police officers
27:10from the great state
27:11of New Jersey.
27:12I object.
27:14Objection is heard.
27:16Mr. President.
27:17The Senator from Minnesota.
27:18Mr. President,
27:19I want to thank
27:19the Senator from Nevada
27:21for her work
27:22in trying to bring
27:24these bills
27:25to a vote on the floor.
27:26I want to thank
27:27Senator Grassley,
27:28the chairman
27:29of the Judiciary Committee.
27:30I want to thank
27:31Senator Durbin,
27:32who is there,
27:33the ranking member
27:34of the Judiciary Committee,
27:36someone who has,
27:37by the way,
27:37been a leading voice
27:38on immigration
27:40for years
27:41in this chamber.
27:43And one of the things
27:45I don't understand here
27:47is that we have committees
27:48for a reason
27:49and we have hearings
27:50for a reason.
27:51And you can't do one thing
27:53on police week
27:54and not show up
27:55and not object
27:57and let these bills
27:58go through
27:59and then say another
28:00a few weeks later
28:01in a big speech
28:02on the floor.
28:03So I like to show up
28:05at the markups
28:06and I like to make my case.
28:08And I will note
28:09that Senator Booker
28:10objected to my
28:12police reauthorization bill,
28:13the cops funding,
28:15the Clinton cops funding,
28:16long before Donald Trump
28:18came into office.
28:19So this is not
28:20just about this.
28:23This is a long dispute
28:24over this type of funding.
28:28Funding that I think
28:30is really important
28:31right now.
28:32Our country's
28:33law enforcement professionals
28:34do some of the hardest
28:35and most important work
28:37out there.
28:38Every day across America,
28:39we ask them
28:40to put everything
28:41on the line
28:42to keep us safe.
28:44We ask them
28:44to run towards danger
28:46and to guide others
28:47to safety.
28:48And every day
28:48across America,
28:50they put on their uniforms,
28:51their bulletproof vests,
28:52their badges,
28:53and they get to work.
28:56We need to have their backs
28:57and that's what
28:58this package of bills does.
29:00By the way,
29:00bills supported
29:01out of the committee
29:02from some of the most
29:03liberal senators
29:05and some of the most
29:06conservative senators
29:07in this body.
29:09We came together.
29:10There were bills
29:10we would have liked
29:11to include
29:12that we did not.
29:13And if the objection
29:15is based on
29:16some of this
29:17horror show
29:18that's going on
29:19out of the White House,
29:20I agree with that piece
29:22of Senator Booker's points.
29:24And I have been
29:24equally vociferous
29:26in taking on
29:27this administration.
29:29But all of these bills
29:30came out of the committee
29:32unanimously
29:33and I think they deserve
29:34that support
29:35on the floor.
29:36These bills help fund
29:37grants for mental health services
29:39for law enforcement.
29:40And by the way,
29:41if this issue,
29:42which I agree
29:43with Senator Booker on
29:44about all these states
29:45should be treated the same,
29:47well then,
29:48I suppose then
29:49he will be voting
29:50against all of this funding
29:52for New Jersey
29:53unless this is changed.
29:55So we should be watching
29:56for that
29:56for every single vote
29:58instead of just
30:00these bills.
30:01These bills that are
30:02in front of us
30:02that were supported
30:03unanimously
30:04out of committee.
30:05Grants that help
30:06law enforcement
30:07combat child sexual
30:08exploitation.
30:09Grants to help
30:10address a recruitment
30:11and retention crisis
30:12that is plaguing
30:13local law enforcement.
30:15Senator Cortez-Masco bill
30:17as she explained
30:18would help support
30:19the families
30:19of fallen law enforcement
30:21officers who were
30:22targeted and attacked
30:23because of their service
30:24as law enforcement.
30:26My bill,
30:26which has been now
30:27objected to
30:28so I'm not going to
30:30mention it separately
30:31or ask for it
30:32to be called up separately.
30:34My bill,
30:34the Retired Law
30:35Enforcement Officers
30:36Continuing Service Act
30:38done with Senator Grassley
30:39would make sure
30:40that law enforcement
30:41agencies can continue
30:43to utilize the skills
30:44that talented law
30:45enforcement retirees
30:46have built up
30:47over their career
30:48of public service.
30:50There are many
30:50retired law enforcement
30:52officers who want
30:53an active retirement
30:54and are eager
30:55and ready to serve
30:56their community.
30:57This might sound
30:58like small ball,
30:59but when we are looking
30:59at how we're going
31:00to build up these
31:01police agencies
31:02when we don't have
31:03enough police,
31:04when they're out there
31:05at these scenes
31:06getting shot at,
31:07we've got to be creative
31:08in terms of the ideas.
31:10And I believe strongly
31:12we're going to see
31:13another president
31:15in the future.
31:16We're going to see
31:16out of these next elections
31:18a check on some of this.
31:20But for now,
31:20I want to get
31:21these programs started.
31:23This bill would allow
31:25law enforcement agencies
31:26across the country
31:27to keep using
31:28their expertise
31:29to review video footage,
31:31to solve carjacking cases,
31:33or help cyber
31:34and financial crime investigations.
31:37This bill will also help
31:38train the next generation
31:40of law enforcement officers.
31:42These and the other
31:43police bills passed
31:45during police week
31:47while those police officers
31:48are sitting there
31:49in the hearing room
31:50when no one objected.
31:52They are bipartisan,
31:53common sense legislation.
31:55They passed
31:56the Judiciary Committee
31:57unanimously.
31:59And I can't help it
32:00if someone couldn't change
32:01their schedule
32:02to be there.
32:02I think that these hearings
32:05should mean something
32:06and that people
32:07should be saying
32:08the same thing
32:08they say on police week
32:10when those people
32:11are sitting out there
32:12in the uniforms
32:13who have lost loved ones
32:14as they say
32:15on this Senate floor.
32:16If we expect
32:18law enforcement
32:18to respond
32:19to some of the most
32:20difficult crises
32:21at a moment's notice,
32:23it's on us
32:24to set them up
32:25for success.
32:26I was there
32:27at the National Mall
32:28where it rained
32:29the entire night
32:31and not a family
32:33wasn't there
32:34when they thought
32:35it was going to be
32:35a nicer day.
32:37And that was this year
32:38on the National Mall
32:38to honor
32:39those fallen heroes,
32:42the law enforcement
32:43officers' memorial
32:44candlelight vigil.
32:46Every single officer
32:48who name was read
32:50that night
32:50was a beloved family member
32:52and a friend to so many,
32:54including three
32:55from my state.
32:56There was Officer
32:57Jamal Mitchell
32:58who was shot
32:59and killed
32:59in the line of duty
33:00just last June
33:01and Officers
33:03Paul Elmstred
33:04and Matthew Ruge
33:05who along with
33:06firefighter paramedic
33:08Adam Finseth
33:08were killed
33:09responding to a
33:10domestic violence call
33:12in Burnsville, Minnesota.
33:13They were called to duty.
33:14They answered the call.
33:16They actually got
33:16seven kids
33:18out of this house
33:19and saved their lives.
33:21And then
33:21one was gunned down.
33:23A paramedic came in
33:24to try to save him.
33:25He was gunned down.
33:26And I will never forget
33:27hearing from Burnsville
33:29Police Sergeant
33:29Adam Medlica
33:30who was there
33:32with the three
33:32fallen first responders
33:34when they answered
33:34the call.
33:35He said of his
33:36fallen comrades,
33:37we were there
33:38for seven children.
33:39Nothing could be
33:39more honorable.
33:41He is absolutely right.
33:43You can't teach
33:44that kind of heroism.
33:45Our brave
33:46law enforcement
33:47professionals
33:47deserve to know
33:48that the resources
33:49they rely on
33:50will be there
33:51when they need them.
33:52And I hope
33:53we can work
33:54some of this out.
33:55I completely agree
33:56with Senator Booker
33:57about what this
33:58administration is doing.
34:01But
34:01you can't just
34:02pick out
34:03a few bills
34:05that came out
34:05of a committee
34:06and say,
34:07I'm going to stop those
34:08and then allow
34:09for other bills
34:10that fund other parts
34:11of your budget
34:11in your state.
34:14Senator from New Jersey.
34:16I was just called
34:17out by name
34:17and I want to respond.
34:18This is what frustrates me.
34:25I've passed numerous
34:26pieces of legislation
34:27for our police officers.
34:28I partnered with
34:29Chuck Grassley,
34:30the incredible senator
34:32from Iowa,
34:32on a bill very similar
34:34to the one I support
34:35about police officers
34:37who fall in the line
34:38of duty.
34:39In this case,
34:39it was COVID.
34:41Police officers
34:42who got COVID
34:42and died,
34:43had difficulty proving
34:44it was a line-of-duty death.
34:45we passed legislation
34:46to make sure
34:47those families
34:48get the benefits.
34:50I've worked
34:50in bipartisan ways
34:52and within my own party
34:54to make sure
34:54we get resources
34:56to our police officers.
34:58I don't need lectures
34:59about the urgency of this.
35:00One of my childhood
35:01best friends,
35:02a police officer
35:03in a small town
35:04in New Jersey,
35:05after a hard day's work
35:07before he even went home
35:07to see his family,
35:10died by suicide.
35:13I don't need somebody
35:14implying
35:14in any way
35:15that this is not vital
35:17to me and my state
35:19that we have resources
35:20for our police officers.
35:22That's why I support
35:23this package.
35:24That's why I'm a co-sponsor
35:27of some of the bills
35:28in this package.
35:30But what I am tired of
35:32is when the President
35:34of the United States
35:35of America
35:36violates the Constitution,
35:38trashes our norms
35:39and traditions,
35:41and what does
35:42the Democratic Party do?
35:44comply?
35:48Allow him?
35:50Beg for scraps?
35:52No.
35:52I demand justice.
35:58Somebody's implying
35:59that this to me
35:59is not about resources
36:01for my state.
36:02I will fight for Jersey
36:03every day,
36:04every night,
36:05and when it comes
36:07to the police officers
36:07of my state,
36:08anybody who implies
36:10that something is going on
36:16other than my allegiance
36:17and fealty
36:18to the safety,
36:19strength,
36:19and protection
36:20of my police officers
36:21because they protect me
36:22and everybody
36:23in this body.
36:24this is a call,
36:27folks.
36:30The Democratic Party
36:31needs a wake-up call.
36:32I see law firms
36:35bending a knee
36:36to this president,
36:38not caring about
36:38the larger principles,
36:40that those free speech rights
36:41that you could take
36:42on any client,
36:43why are you bending
36:44the knee?
36:44I see universities
36:46that should be bastions
36:48of free speech
36:49bending at the knee
36:51to this president.
36:52I see businesses
36:54taking late-night
36:56talk show hosts
36:56off the air
36:57because they dare
36:59to insult a president.
37:01I see people
37:02who want mergers
37:03suddenly think
37:04that they have to pay
37:05tribute to this president.
37:08And what are the very people
37:09here elected
37:10to defend the Constitution
37:12of the United States
37:13saying,
37:14oh, well, today,
37:15let's look the other way
37:16and pass some resources
37:17that won't go to Connecticut,
37:19that won't go to Illinois,
37:21that won't go to New York,
37:22that will go to the states
37:23he likes.
37:27That is complicity
37:28with an authoritarian leader
37:30who is trashing
37:31our Constitution.
37:32It's time for Democrats
37:33to have a backbone.
37:35It's time for us to fight.
37:36It's time for us
37:37to draw lines.
37:38And when it comes
37:38to the safety of my state
37:40being denied these grants,
37:41that's why I'm standing here.
37:43Don't question my integrity.
37:45Don't question my motives.
37:46I'm standing for Jersey.
37:48I am standing
37:49for my police officers.
37:51I'm standing
37:51for the Constitution
37:52and I'm standing
37:53for what's right.
37:54And dear God,
37:55if you want to come
37:56at me that way,
37:57you're going to have
37:57to take it up with me
37:58because there's too much
38:00on the line right now
38:01in America.
38:03As people's due process rights
38:05and freedom
38:06of the speech rights
38:07and secret police
38:08are running around
38:09this country
38:09picking people up
38:10off the streets
38:11who have a legal right
38:12to be here,
38:13there's too much
38:13going on in this country.
38:14When are we going
38:19to stand together
38:20for principles
38:22that I just heard
38:23that were agreed with?
38:24When are we going
38:25to stand together?
38:28If we don't stand
38:29as Democrats,
38:29we deserve to lose.
38:31But if we stand united,
38:33if we stand strong,
38:34if we stand with other people,
38:35if we tell,
38:37with a chorus
38:37of conviction in America
38:38what this president
38:39is doing is wrong,
38:41if we stand up
38:42and speak that way,
38:42dear God,
38:43we will win,
38:43like all of those people
38:45that are ancestors
38:45who joined hands together
38:48and said we shall overcome.
38:50No, not on my watch.
38:51I'm protecting Jersey today.
38:53I'm protecting
38:54our Constitution today.
38:57I'm standing today.
39:01Mr. President.
39:02The Senator from Nevada.
39:04Mr. President,
39:04let me try to refocus this
39:06on the bills
39:07that are for us today.
39:09I'm not sure
39:10the answer here
39:11is to stop
39:12bipartisan legislation
39:14that gives tools
39:15to law enforcement
39:15across the community
39:17to keep our communities safe.
39:18That stopping those
39:19is the answer
39:20moving forward here.
39:22I just,
39:23I don't know of anyone
39:25across this community
39:26that when they have a concern,
39:29that when they make
39:30that 911 call,
39:31they want law enforcement
39:32to respond.
39:33I don't care
39:33whether you're Republican,
39:34Democrat.
39:35I don't care
39:36if you're nonpartisan.
39:37I don't care
39:37where you live.
39:38You want law enforcement
39:39to respond
39:40if there's something
39:41happening in your community.
39:43And that's what
39:43these bills are focused on,
39:44is how do we ensure
39:45that our law enforcement
39:46have the tools
39:47that they need
39:48to ensure
39:50that they can
39:51keep our communities safe.
39:53That's all it is.
39:55And there are several of them.
39:56They're bipartisan.
39:58And it passed in a unanimous way
40:00for that very reason,
40:02to keep our communities safe.
40:04Now,
40:05we can talk about funding
40:07for those and appropriations,
40:08and that's a separate subject.
40:10I'm willing to work
40:11with my colleague
40:12and fight the administration
40:13from stopping that funding.
40:15But if we don't pass
40:16these pieces of legislation,
40:18we're not even giving
40:19the tools to law enforcement
40:20to keep our communities safe.
40:23That's what this is about,
40:24and that's why
40:24there was unanimous consent
40:25for it.
40:27I do want to also thank
40:29one other person
40:30that I didn't get a chance to,
40:31which is Senator Durbin.
40:32He has worked tirelessly
40:34on the Judiciary Committee
40:35on these pieces of legislation,
40:37working with law enforcement,
40:38working with all of us,
40:39understanding that it is
40:41about safe communities
40:42at the end of the day
40:43and ensuring we keep
40:45and give law enforcement
40:46the tools they need
40:47to keep our communities safe.
40:49I also appreciate my colleague
40:52who's willing to work with me
40:54on two pieces of the bills
40:56that are before us,
40:57albeit we worked this out
41:00just before we walked
41:01on the floor today.
41:02But I do,
41:03I appreciate his willingness
41:05to allow me to really kind of
41:08pull out two pieces of legislation
41:10and talk to him about it.
41:12And then his willingness to,
41:14of what I'm hearing,
41:15is supported.
41:16So, as if in legislative session,
41:18I ask unanimous consent
41:19that the Senate proceed
41:20to the immediate consideration
41:22of the following bills
41:23in block,
41:24Cal No. 81-S911
41:25and Cal No. 84-S1595.
41:32Is there an objection
41:33to proceeding
41:34to the measures on block?
41:35Reserving the right to object.
41:36The senator from New Jersey.
41:38So this casts a shadow
41:39over everything that was just said
41:40because I support these bills.
41:41Why do I support these bills?
41:44Because the officers
41:44of the state of New Jersey
41:46are going to benefit from them.
41:48Because Donald Trump
41:48hasn't targeted these
41:50and cut these.
41:52And these are things
41:53that are going to help all officers.
41:55That's what this body should do.
41:57Not pick and choose
41:57one state over another.
41:59Not pit one state against another.
42:01Not pit blue states,
42:02so-called blue states
42:03over so-called red states.
42:04It's the United States of America.
42:07God bless my colleague
42:08for bringing these bills forward.
42:09They should have been passed
42:10a long time ago.
42:11I support them fully
42:13because they will apply
42:16to every officer
42:18in the United States of America.
42:19That's the way
42:20this body should work
42:21and I have no objection whatsoever.
42:25Without objection,
42:26the Senate will proceed on block.
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