Congressional Record, September 22, 2022, from Page H8096 — United States House of Representatives
Summary
This is the Congressional Record, House, September 22, 2022, from H8096. A speaker urges support for the Break the Cycle of Violence Act and yields back the balance of the time, and the bill is ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, with proceedings on passage postponed after Mr. Jordan demands the yeas and nays. Under the heading Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Act of 2022, Mr. Nadler, pursuant to House Resolution 1377, calls up H.R. 5768, to direct the Attorney General to establish a grant program for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods. The text of the bill, as amended, defines terms such as clearance by arrest and clearance rate and sets out a grant program within the Office of Justice Programs.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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H8096 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 22, 2022
he opposed, appropriated money for po- (2) When a law enforcement agency expends charging the suspect, or referring the suspect for
lice. This bill complements it by appro- additional investigative effort, the law enforce- prosecution, including—
ment agency improves its success in gaining co- (I) the death of the suspect;
priating money for antiviolence inter- (II) the refusal of the victim to cooperate with
operation of key witnesses and increases the
vention. the prosecution after the suspect has been iden-
amount of forensic evidence collected.
Mr. Speaker, our communities have (3) Effective investigation of shootings can tified; or
seen enough violence and bloodshed. prevent subsequent related violence by— (III) the denial of extradition because the sus-
The Break the Cycle of Violence Act (A) deterring retaliation; and pect committed an offense in another jurisdic-
gives us the opportunity to prevent vi- (B) providing interventions to individuals who tion and is being prosecuted for that offense.
olence before it starts and to provide may continue to commit crimes or become victims (3) CLEARANCE RATE.—The term ‘‘clearance
of retaliatory violence. rate’’, with respect to a law enforcement agen-
critical support to our most impacted cy, means—
communities. (4) Law enforcement agencies that dem-
onstrate higher rates of clearance for violent (A) the number of offenses cleared by the law
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- enforcement agency, including through clear-
crimes committed against a person—
leagues to join me in support of this (A) have more structured oversight and formal ance by arrest and clearance by exception, di-
crucial legislation, and I yield back the interactions between investigative units and vided by
balance of my time. agency leadership; (B) the total number of offenses reported to
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- (B) are more likely to have investigative units the law enforcement agency.
(4) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ant to House Resolution 1377, the pre- that have collaborative relationships and robust
ty’’ means a State, Tribal, or local law enforce-
vious question is ordered on the bill. information sharing with other units of the law
ment agency or prosecuting office, or a group of
The question is on the engrossment enforcement agency;
Tribal law enforcement agencies or Tribal pros-
and third reading of the bill. (C) have investigative units that have specific
ecuting offices.
goals and performance metrics for both the unit
The bill was ordered to be engrossed (5) GRANT RECIPIENT.—The term ‘‘grant recipi-
and for investigators within the unit;
and read a third time, and was read the ent’’ means a recipient of a grant under the
(D) have investigators who more frequently
third time. Program.
respond to the initial crime scene shortly after (6) LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.—The term
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The crimes have been reported to collect evidence ‘‘law enforcement agency’’ means a public agen-
question is on passage of the bill. and interview witnesses; cy charged with policing functions, including
The question was taken; and the (E) have investigators who either have spe-
any component bureau of the agency (such as a
Speaker pro tempore announced that cialized experience before joining investigative
governmental victim services program or village
the ayes appeared to have it. units or are trained in investigations once they
public safety officer program), including an
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I join those units;
agency composed of officers or persons referred
(F) often have standard operating procedures
demand the yeas and nays. to in subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 2(10) of
for investigations that establish policies and evi-
The yeas and nays were ordered. dence-based best practices for conducting and
the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act (25
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- U.S.C. 2801(10)).
completing homicide investigations; and (7) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- (G) have better relationships with the commu- the grant program established under subsection
ceedings on this question will be post- nities they serve, even if no specific community- (b)(1).
poned. oriented campaign or initiative exists between (b) GRANT PROGRAM.—
f investigative units and community groups. (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after
(5) Criminal justice agencies should collabo- the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney
VIOLENT INCIDENT CLEARANCE rate with each other and share best practices for General shall establish a grant program within
AND TECHNOLOGICAL INVES- solving violent crimes committed against a per- the Office of Justice Programs under which the
TIGATIVE METHODS ACT OF 2022 son. Attorney General awards grants to eligible enti-
(6) A comprehensive community engagement ties to establish, implement, and administer vio-
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant strategy concerning gun violence is essential to
to House Resolution 1377, I call up the lent incident clearance and technological inves-
improving clearance rates for violent crimes tigative methods.
bill (H.R. 5768) to direct the Attorney committed against a person. (2) APPLICATIONS.—An eligible entity seeking
General to establish a grant program SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM WITH RESPECT TO VIO- a grant under the Program shall submit to the
to establish, create, and administer the LENT INCIDENT CLEARANCE AND Attorney General an application at such time,
TECHNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIVE
violent incident clearance and tech- METHODS.
in such manner, and containing or accompanied
nology investigative method, and for by—
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (A) such information as the Attorney General
other purposes, and ask for its imme- (1) CLEARANCE BY ARREST.—The term ‘‘clear-
diate consideration in the House. may reasonably require; and
ance by arrest’’, with respect to an offense re- (B) a description of each eligible project under
The Clerk read the title of the bill. ported to a law enforcement agency, means the paragraph (4) that the grant will fund.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- law enforcement agency— (3) SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.—The At-
ant to House Resolution 1377, in lieu of (A) has— torney General, in selecting a recipient of a
the amendment in the nature of a sub- (i) arrested not less than 1 person for the of- grant under the Program, shall consider the spe-
stitute recommended by the Com- fense; cific plan and activities proposed by the appli-
(ii) charged the person described in subpara- cant to improve clearance rates for homicides,
mittee on the Judiciary printed in the graph (A) with the commission of the offense;
bill, an amendment in the nature of a rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and non-
and fatal shootings.
substitute consisting of the text of (iii) referred the person described in subpara- (4) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—A grant recipient
Rules Committee print 117–62, modified graph (A) for prosecution for the offense; or shall use the grant for activities with the spe-
by the amendment printed in House (B) has cited an individual under the age of cific objective of improving clearance rates for
Report 117–483, is adopted and the bill, 18 to appear in juvenile court or before another homicides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings,
as amended, is considered read. juvenile authority with respect to the offense, and non-fatal shootings, including—
The text of the bill, as amended, is as regardless of whether a physical arrest oc- (A) ensuring the retention of detectives who
curred. are assigned to investigate homicides, rapes, sex-
follows:
(2) CLEARANCE BY EXCEPTION.—The term ual assaults, kidnappings, and non-fatal shoot-
H.R. 5768 ‘‘clearance by exception’’, with respect to an of- ings as of the date of receipt of the grant;
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- fense reported to a law enforcement agency, (B) hiring and training additional detectives
resentatives of the United States of America in means the law enforcement agency— who will be dedicated to investigating homi-
Congress assembled, (A) has identified not less than 1 person sus- cides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. pected of the offense; and non-fatal shootings;
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Violent Incident (B) with respect to the suspect described in (C) developing policies, procedures, and train-
Clearance and Technological Investigative subparagraph (A), has— ing to improve the ability of detectives to effec-
Methods Act of 2022’’ or ‘‘VICTIM Act of 2022’’. (i) gathered enough evidence to— tively investigate and solve homicides, rapes,
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. (I) support an arrest of the suspect; sexual assaults, kidnappings, and non-fatal
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Congress finds the following: (II) make a charge against the suspect; and shootings, including implementing best practices
(1) Research indicates that law enforcement (III) refer the suspect for prosecution; relating to—
agencies can increase clearance rates by improv- (ii) identified the exact location of the suspect (i) improving internal agency cooperation, or-
ing— so that the suspect could be taken into custody ganizational oversight and accountability, and
(A) investigative processes; immediately; and supervision of investigations;
(B) detective capacities; and (iii) encountered a circumstance outside the (ii) developing specific goals and performance
(C) organizational oversight and supervision control of the law enforcement agency that pro- metrics for both investigators and investigative
of investigations. hibits the agency from arresting the suspect, units;
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September 22, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8097
(iii) establishing or improving relationships the technology or equipment in increasing clear- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
with the communities the agency serves; and ance rates, and any policies in place to govern objection to the request of the gen-
(iv) collaboration with and among other law the use of the technology or equipment; tleman from New York?
enforcement agencies and criminal justice orga- (6) the internal policies and oversight used to
There was no objection.
nizations; ensure that any technology purchased through
(D) training personnel to address the needs of the grant for the purposes of improving clear- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield
victims and family members of victims of homi- ance rates does not violate the civil rights and myself such time as I may consume.
cides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings, or civil liberties of individuals; Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5768, the VICTIM
non-fatal shootings or collaborating with (7) data regarding clearance rates for homi- Act of 2022, is bipartisan legislation
trained victim advocates and specialists to better cides, rapes, other aggravated felonies, and non- that would help law enforcement im-
meet victims’ needs; fatal shootings, including the rate of clearances prove clearance rates for homicides,
(E) acquiring, upgrading, or replacing inves- by arrest and clearances by exception, and rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings,
tigative, evidence processing, or forensic testing crime trends from within each jurisdiction in and nonfatal shootings.
technology or equipment; which the grant recipient carried out activities
(F) development and implementation of poli- supported by the grant;
As communities continue to face in-
cies that safeguard civil rights and civil liberties (8) whether the grant recipient has provided creased gun violence and violent crime,
during the collection, processing, and forensic grant funds to any victim services organiza- this bill is a vital step toward improv-
testing of evidence; tions, and if so, which organizations; ing public safety.
(G) hiring or training personnel for collection, (9) the demographic information for victims of Again, let me be clear: Democrats
processing, and forensic testing of evidence; homicides, rapes, other aggravated felonies, and have always stood for equitable fund-
(H) hiring and training of personnel to ana- non-fatal shootings, and the length and out- ing for law enforcement. In fact, Demo-
lyze violent crime and the temporal and geo- comes of each investigation, including whether
graphic trends among homicides, rapes, sexual
cratic-led cities and States have con-
the investigation was cleared by arrest or excep-
assaults, kidnappings, and nonfatal shootings; tion;
sistently funded law enforcement at
(I) retaining experts to conduct a detailed (10) the demographic information for each vic- much higher per capita rates than Re-
analysis of homicides and shootings using Gun tim or family member of a victim who received publican-led cities, while also recog-
Violence Problem Analysis (commonly known as victim-related services provided by the grant re- nizing the need for law enforcement ac-
‘‘GVPA’’) or a similar research methodology; cipient; and countability and improving public
(J) ensuring victims have appropriate access (11) identification of the services most used by trust.
to emergency food, housing, clothing, travel, victims and their families and identification of To address the challenges our law en-
and transportation; additional services needed.
(K) developing competitive and evidence-based forcement agencies are facing, this bill
(e) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE EVALUA-
programs to improve homicide and non-fatal TION AND REPORT TO CONGRESS.—
would provide funding and support for
shooting clearance rates; (1) EVALUATION.—Not later than 2 years after agencies to hire and train detectives
(L) developing best practices for improving ac- the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 and investigators to improve case
cess to and acceptance of victim services, includ- years thereafter, the Director of the National clearance rates.
ing victim services that promote medical and Institute of Justice shall conduct an evaluation Low clearance rates not only prevent
psychological wellness, ongoing counseling, of— victims from accessing justice, but
legal advice, and financial compensation; (A) the practices deployed by grant recipients they also damage the public’s trust in
(M) training investigators and detectives in to identify policies and procedures that have
trauma-informed interview techniques; law enforcement. By investing in the
successfully improved clearance rates for homi-
(N) establishing programs to support officers cides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and personnel and technology needed to
who experience stress or trauma as a result of non-fatal shootings; and solve cases of homicide and other seri-
responding to or investigating shootings or other (B) the efficacy of any services provided to ous crimes, agencies can help build
violent crime incidents; or victims and family members of victims of homi- public confidence and improve commu-
(O) ensuring language and disability access cides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and nity safety.
supports are provided to victims, survivors, and non-fatal shootings. In providing State, local, and Tribal
their families so that victims can exercise their (2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 agencies with additional resources, the
rights and participate in the criminal justice days after completion of an evaluation by the
process. VICTIM Act will equip agencies to bet-
National Institute of Justice under paragraph
(c) FEDERAL SHARE.— (1), the Attorney General shall submit to Con- ter respond to and investigate these se-
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of the cost gress a report including— rious crimes, bringing justice for vic-
of a project assisted with a grant under the Pro- (A) the results of the evaluation; and tims and keeping our communities
gram shall not exceed— (B) information reported by each grant recipi- safe.
(A) 100 percent if the grant is awarded on or ent under subsection (d). I thank Representative VAL DEMINGS
before December 31, 2032; or (f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— and her bipartisan cosponsors for their
(B) subject to paragraph (2), 50 percent if the (1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be
grant is awarded after December 31, 2032.
leadership on this issue and for intro-
appropriated to carry out this section
(2) WAIVER.—With respect to a grant awarded $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through
ducing this important legislation.
under the Program after December 31, 2032, the 2032. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col-
Attorney General may determine that the Fed- (2) PERCENT FOR CERTAIN ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— leagues to support this bill, and I re-
eral share of the cost of a project assisted with The Attorney General shall use 10 percent of the serve the balance of my time.
the grant shall not exceed 100 percent. amount made available under paragraph (1) for Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, for rea-
(d) REPORT BY GRANT RECIPIENT.—Not later a fiscal year to award grants under the Program sons we have articulated on the pre-
than 1 year after receiving a grant under the to Tribal law enforcement agencies or pros- vious bills, we oppose this legislation.
Program, and each year thereafter, a grant re- ecuting offices, or groups of such agencies or of-
cipient shall submit to the Attorney General a
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
fices.
report on the activities carried out using the my time.
grant, including, if applicable—
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3
(1) the number of homicide and non-fatal as amended, shall be debatable for 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from
shooting detectives hired by the grant recipient; minutes equally divided and controlled Florida (Mrs. DEMINGS), the sponsor of
(2) the number of evidence processing per- by the chair and ranking minority this legislation and a member of the
sonnel hired by the grant recipient; member of the Committee on the Judi- Judiciary Committee.
(3) a description of any training that is— ciary or their respective designees. Mrs. DEMINGS. Mr. Speaker, real
(A) provided to existing (as of the date on The gentleman from New York (Mr.
which the grant was awarded) or newly hired life is quite different from television or
NADLER) and the gentleman from Ohio political buffoonery. Half of gun mur-
homicide and non-fatal shooting detectives; and
(B) designed to assist in the solving of crimes (Mr. JORDAN) each will control 15 min- ders in the United States go unsolved.
and improve clearance rates; utes. Victims are too often left with no jus-
(4) any new evidence processing technology or The Chair recognizes the gentleman tice and their families with little sup-
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equipment purchased or any upgrades made to from New York (Mr. NADLER). port.
existing (as of the date on which the grant was GENERAL LEAVE Who amongst us believes that mur-
awarded) evidence technology or equipment,
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask derers or violent criminals should not
and the associated cost;
(5) any assessments of evidence processing unanimous consent that all Members be arrested and prosecuted to the full
technology or equipment purchased with grant may have 5 legislative days in which to extent of the law? I pray, Mr. Speaker,
funds to determine whether such technology or revise and extend their remarks and in- that no one in this Chamber really be-
equipment satisfies the objectives of the use of sert extraneous material on H.R. 5768. lieves that.
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H8098 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 22, 2022
But, today, we will witness with our gentleman from California (Mr. Homicide clearance rates, in par-
own eyes who actually wants to fund MCCLINTOCK), my friend and colleague ticular, have dropped consistently
the police. I learned a long time ago, and a member of the Judiciary Com- since the 1960s, leaving many unsolved
don’t just listen to what they say but mittee. cases and many victims and their fami-
watch what they do. Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, in lies still searching. I want my col-
As a former law enforcement officer, the summer of 2020, mobs of radical leagues to have a heart. They are still
I vividly recall being on the scene of leftists burned our cities, preyed on in- searching for justice.
young people dead as a result of vio- nocent citizens, attacked our police of- This legislation by Congresswoman
lence, knowing that their families ficers, and occupied business districts DEMINGS addresses the challenges our
would soon receive devastating news. during what one leftist Democrat law enforcement agencies are facing in
We all know that there will be more mayor called the summer of love. At solving homicides and other violent
families who receive those calls. I want least 25 people were killed. crimes in red States and blue States.
to make sure that there are experts, Republicans called for law and order. This critical funding would help agen-
trained and ready, who can help them Democrats called for defunding our po- cies improve their clearance rates
through those horrible moments. lice departments and releasing dan- through various means. It helps retain
Mr. Speaker, I saw as a detective, a gerous criminals onto our streets, detectives. It helps in training per-
detective sergeant, and a chief of police often within hours of their arrests. In sonnel.
that violent crimes require a coordi- the cities they controlled, they did just The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
nated and professional response to en- that. time of the gentlewoman has expired.
sure a word that we really need to get In those cities, crime has sky- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an
familiar with in this Chamber, and rocketed, including the fastest increase additional 30 seconds to the gentle-
that word is ‘‘justice.’’ in homicides ever recorded in our Na- woman.
We know that far too many police de- tion. Ironically, the greatest victims Ms. JACKSON LEE. It provides for
partments just do not have the re- are their own constituents, who are low clearance rates, which dispropor-
sources they need to solve these hei- now turning on them. tionately affect victims and families of
nous crimes. That is why I introduced Crime doesn’t concern House Demo- victims of marginalized communities.
the VICTIM Act. crats, but losing political support be- Not only do they prevent victims from
I have even heard one of my former fore an election, that scares them to accessing justice, but they also damage
law enforcement colleagues suggest death, so we have these bills brought the public’s trust.
that the Department of Justice has al- hurriedly to the floor today. I have given money to help victims,
ready provided enough resources. Let me point out the obvious. Repub- and victims say: ‘‘Do you know what?
Let me be clear about what this bill lican communities have backed their We are left alone,’’ the victims or fami-
does. This legislation provides addi- police departments with the local funds lies. ‘‘We are left alone to address this
tional Federal resources for State, and the moral support they need to do disparity.’’
Tribal, and local law enforcement their jobs. Democratic cities have This bill will help not leave them
agencies to make sure that our men defunded and demonized their police alone, keep pressure on finding that
and women in blue—remember, back departments. culprit, that individual who violated
the blue—have the support they need The Democrats’ response is to take them, that criminal who has violated
to do their jobs, that survivors of vio- the taxes paid by the citizens who fully them, and also by providing agencies
lent crime have the support they need funded their police departments and with additional resources.
to try, Mr. Speaker, to rebuild. give them to those Democratic cities This $100 million is to help victims.
But this is not a blank check. This that have cut them, and still virtually Is there anybody on the floor that
funding must specifically be used for none of the money they propose to wants to join in a bipartisan manner to
the hiring and training of detectives spend is for actual law enforcement. It help victims or to work with law en-
and victim support specialists. is, rather, for intervention, de-esca- forcement who are on the job, who are
Further, recipients would be required lation, training, public health, and so- saying: We need help because victims
to regularly report how the money was cial work training, all administered by need help, and we certainly need to
spent and how it affected clearance the increasingly corrupt and politi- solve the crimes for these families who
rates for homicides and nonfatal shoot- cized Department of Justice. are longing to understand about their
ings. We have watched the Democrats ut- loved ones who have been raped, as-
The National Institute of Justice will terly destroy the cities that they have saulted, and those who have lost their
evaluate these reports and see what dominated for decades. Do we really lives.
works and see what did not work. We want to let them do the same thing to I remind my colleagues of the father
are demanding results, or at least we our country? and baby in my community who were
should be because our communities are Americans need to ask themselves found dead. They need help.
demanding results. how much farther down this dismal Support the VICTIM Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The road they are willing to go. We can re- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5768,
time of the gentlewoman has expired. store safety to all of our communities Violent Incident Clearance and Technological
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an the moment we summon the political Investigative Methods Act of 2022’’ or the
additional 30 seconds to the gentle- will to do so. ‘‘VICTIM Act,’’ that would provide $100 million
woman. Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 annually in grant funding to law enforcement
Mrs. DEMINGS. As the chief of police minute to the gentlewoman from Texas agencies and prosecuting offices to bolster
in Orlando, we were laser-focused on (Ms. JACKSON LEE), a member of the their ability to investigate and clear cases of
reducing violent crimes. I ask my col- Judiciary Committee. homicide, rape, sexual assault, kidnapping,
leagues who like to talk about violent Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, and non-fatal shootings.
crime to join us in reducing violent this is a victims’ act. So many of us As someone who has always supported law
crime. We were able to do so because have worked with our law enforcement enforcement, let me state plainly—this bill is
we had the resources to do so. and victims. about funding law enforcement agencies—not
This legislation is supported by the The VICTIM Act would provide $100 defunding them.
FOP, the National Organization of million annually in grant funding to Homicide clearance rates, in particular, have
Black Law Enforcement Executives, law enforcement agencies and pros- dropped consistently since the 1960’s leaving
the Major Cities Chiefs Association, ecuting officers to bolster their ability many unsolved cases and many victims and
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the National Policing Institute, and to investigate and clear cases of homi- their families still searching for justice. In
the National Association of Police Or- cide, rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, 2020, the clearance rate for homicides fell to
ganizations. and nonfatal shootings. All have family roughly 50 percent while pressure on law en-
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to members that are left wondering and in forcement officials increased—leading to calls
join us in backing the blue. pain. This VICTIM Act, as someone for more funding for overburdened depart-
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield who has always worked with victims, ments with sizable caseloads and depleted re-
such time as he may consume to the ensures that they are not left empty. sources.
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September 22, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8099
To address the challenges our law enforce- to address staffing challenges, enhance their DEM CITIES EMPLOY MORE POLICE OFFICERS PER
ment agencies are facing in solving homicides forensics capabilities, further deploy inves- CAPITA THAN GOP CITIES
and other violent crime—in red states and tigative technologies, and provide services to The size of a city’s police force is often
victims of violent crime and their families. seen as indicative of its support for law en-
blue states—this critical funding would help
Thank you for your continued leadership forcement. Democrats have been accused of
agencies improve their clearance rates and support for our brave law enforcement defunding the police and cutting police fund-
through various means, including: officers. The MCCA stands ready to help ad- ing and staff. We compared the 25 most popu-
ensuring retention of detectives assigned to vance this legislation. lous cities run by each party as defined by
violent crimes; Sincerely, the political affiliation of its mayor to see if
hiring and training additional detectives and JERI WILLIAMS, this potent political charge is true.
investigators dedicated specifically to inves- Chief, Phoenix Police Department, The 25 most populous Democratic cities
tigating homicides and other violent crimes; President, Major Cities Chiefs Association. run from New York City with 8,177,025 inhab-
-- itants to Memphis with 650,980. The 25 most
hiring and training personnel for collecting, populous Republican cities run from Jack-
processing, and testing forensic evidence; and [From Third Way, June 8, 2022]
sonville with a population of 949,611 to Glen-
hiring and training personnel to analyze vio- THE RED CITY DEFUND POLICE PROBLEM dale in Arizona with 248,325 residents. In
lent crime trends. (By Jim Kessler, Executive Vice President total, the 25 most populous Democratic cit-
Low clearance rates—which disproportion- for Policy, and Kylie Murdock, Executive ies are home to 37,470,584 people, while the
ately affect victims and families of victims of Coordinator) commensurate 25 Republican cities have a
marginalized communities—not only prevent combined total of 10,415,763.
In recent years, Republicans have tagged
We found that in the aggregate:
victims from accessing justice, but they also Democrats as the party of ‘‘defund the po- Democrat-run cities employ 288.2 officers
damage the public’s trust in law enforcement. lice.’’ This political charge has at it roots an per 100,000 residents, compared to Repub-
To address this disparity, funding in the bill unfortunate choice of sloganeering and pol- lican-run cities with only 164.6 officers per
could be used to train personnel to address icy from a small number of progressive ac- 100,000 residents.
tivists frustrated and fed up with long- Police forces in cities with Democratic
the needs of victims and family members and
standing police violence and abuse directed mayors are 75.1% larger than police forces in
develop competitive and evidence-based pro- toward minorities. However intentioned, the GOP cities.
grams and practices to improve both clear- defund charge proved damaging to Demo- Of the ten cities with the largest per capita
ance rates and victim services—thereby re- crats. Republicans ran myriad attack ads in police forces, nine are run by Democrats—
building public confidence and improving com- 2020 and the attack was credited with Repub- Washington DC, Chicago, Las Vegas, New
munity safety. lican upsets in swing districts that narrowed York City, Detroit, Philadelphia, Memphis,
The bill would also ensure victim services Democratic majorities in the House. This at- Boston, and Los Angeles. Miami, coming in
programs are funded, staffed, and trained, and tack was so successful that during his 2022 at ninth, is the only Republican-run city in
State of the Union address, President Biden the top ten.
that they provide restorative support to victims We also compared the median per capita
felt compelled to say, ‘‘We should all agree:
and their families. The answer is not to defund the police. The police force average since larger cities like
Investing in personnel as well as the tech- answer is to fund the police. Fund them. New York and Los Angeles can skew results.
nology needed to solve cases of homicide and Fund them. The President also dedicated $10 Among these same cities, those with Demo-
other violent crime, also helps build public billion from the American Rescue Plan for cratic mayors had a median of 195.3 officers
confidence and improve community safety. public safety, including $6.5 billion in crime- per 100,000 residents, or 23.1 percent more
than the 158.7 median for Republican run cit-
That is why H.R. 5768’s funding can be fighting aid to state and local communities.
ies.
used to acquire, upgrade, or replace investiga- But is the Republican charge even re-
The size of a city didn’t seem to be a deter-
tive or evidence processing technology or motely true? It has been taken as a given by mining factor in the per capita rate of police
equipment. much of the media just as Democrats have officers. For example, Phoenix, San Antonio,
been pigeon-holed as soft on crime and being and San Diego ranked 5th, 6th, and 8th in
By providing agencies with additional re-
responsible for rampant crime across the population, but ranked 34th, 40th, and 42nd
sources—drawing from an authorized amount country. Yet as our March 2022 report
of $100 million dollars—the VICTIM Act would in police per capita. Meanwhile, Las Vegas,
showed, the 25 states that voted for Donald Detroit, Memphis, and Miami ranked 25th,
equip agencies to better respond to and inves- Trump had a murder rate 40% higher than 27th, 28th and 33rd in population, but ranked
tigate serious crimes—delivering justice to vic- the 25 states that voted for Joe Biden. And 8 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th in police per capita.
tims and making our communities safer. of the 10 states with the highest murder Oklahoma City and Las Vegas have nearly
I commend Representative Val Demings for rates not only voted for Donald Trump, they identical populations (676,492 versus 675,592),
championing this thoughtful, bipartisan legisla- voted Republican in every presidential elec- but Republican-led Oklahoma City had a po-
tion and urge my colleagues to support it. tion this century. Is the Democrats, defund lice force roughly onethird the size of Las
the police portrait as inaccurate as its soft Vegas with its Democratic mayor (162.6 offi-
Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD on crime portrait? cers compared to 444.1 per 100,000 residents).
a letter dated November 1, 2021, from To answer this question, we compared the DEM CITIES SPEND MORE MONEY ON POLICING
the Major Cities Chiefs Association and police budgets of the 25 largest Democrat- THAN GOP CITIES
an article from Third Way titled ‘‘The run cities and the 25 largest Republican-run Republicans have decried Democrats, at-
Red City Defund Police Problem.’’ cities. We pulled FY2021 and FY2022 funding tempts to cut police budgets in liberal cities
MAJOR CITIES CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, data directly from city operating budgets, as across the country. But we found that Demo-
November 1, 2021. well as police force data from a mixture of crats spend more on policing than Repub-
Hon. VAL DEMINGS, police department websites, city budgets, licans do.
House of Representatives, and local news sources. Using this, we cal- Republican-run cities spend $361 per resi-
Washington, DC. culated several key metrics—the number of dent on police. Democrat-run cities spend
DEAR REP. DEMINGS: I write on behalf of police officers, police officers per capita, po- $498 per resident, about 38 percent more than
the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) lice funding per capita, and percent change Republicans. Because aggregate police budg-
to register our strong support for H.R. 5768, in police budgets from FY2021 to FY2022. Per ets can be skewed by larger cities, we also
the VICTIM Act. The MCCA is a professional capita data allows us to control for popu- looked at the median per capita police budg-
organization of police executives rep- lation and compare cities like New York ets for these sets of 25 cities. Once again,
resenting the largest cities in the United City and Fort Worth. Democrat-run cities had median police budg-
States and Canada. We found that despite conventional wis- ets 31 percent greater than Republican-run
Nearly every major city in the United dom to the contrary, Democrat-run cities cities, $423.55 to $323.40 per resident.
States is contending with a rise in violent employ far more police officers and spend far Of the ten cities that spent the most on po-
crime. According to the MCCA’s most recent more money on policing per capita than Re- licing per capita, six of them are Democrat-
Violent Crime Survey, comparing midyear publican-run cities. In fact, police forces in run and four are Republican-run. Cities often
2020 with midyear 2021, homicides are up Dem cities are 75 percent larger than police criticized by Republicans for being ‘‘soft-on-
roughly 20 percent in major cities. In addi- forces in GOP cities. And Democrats spend crime’’—New York City, San Francisco, Chi-
tion, most MCCA members have reported sig- about 38 percent more per person on policing cago, Detroit, Seattle—are all in the top 15
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nificant increases in gun violence, evidenced than Republicans do. On average, Democrat- on police funding per person. Republican
by the uptick in aggravated assaults. and Republican-run cities all saw an increase strongholds like Bakersfield and Oklahoma
The grants authorized in the VICTIM Act in police funding in 2022, with Democrats ac- City spend less than half of what New York
will help law enforcement agencies overcome tually increasing police budgets by slightly City and Chicago spend on their police.
some of the challenges associated with re- more. DEM CITIES SAW SLIGHTLY LARGER POLICE
sponding to the current increase in violent The data make clear-Republicans may talk BUDGET INCREASES THAN GOP CITIES IN 2022
crime. More specifically, this bill will pro- about funding the police, but they trail Defund the police may exist as a slogan,
vide law enforcement with critical resources badly as compared to Democrats. but it does not exist as a policy—at least in
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H8100 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 22, 2022
the 50 cities that we reviewed. Between I encourage a ‘‘no’’ on this, and I am enforcement officers, and for other pur-
FY2021 to FY2022, Democrat-run cities saw a honored to speak on this. poses, on which the yeas and nays were
4.34 percent increase in police funding—from Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I oppose ordered.
$17.89 billion to $18.67 billion, or about 775
the legislation, and I yield back the The Clerk read the title of the bill.
million in the aggregate. Republican-run cit-
ies saw a 4.11 percent increase—from $3.62 balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
billion to $3.76 billion, $148 million in the ag- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield question is on the passage of the bill.
gregate. myself such time as I may consume. The vote was taken by electronic de-
Twenty-one of 25 Democratic cities and 21 Mr. Speaker, the VICTIM Act is bi- vice, and there were—yeas 360, nays 64,
of 25 Republican cities showed budget in- partisan legislation that would in-
creases in FY2022. Cities like New York and not voting 9, as follows:
crease public safety and improve law
Los Angeles are often mentioned in defund enforcement practices. The rise in vio- [Roll No. 451]
the police attacks—both cities increased
their police budgets in 2022. In fact, the ten
lent crime affects every community YEAS—360
largest Democrat-run cities increased their across the country, not just Demo- Adams DeGette Johnson (TX)
cratic communities. Aderholt DeLauro Jones
police budgets in 2022, though Philadelphia’s Aguilar DelBene Joyce (OH)
held fairly constant with a 0.28 percent in- But we also know that public safety Allred Demings Joyce (PA)
crease. New York City’s increase of 3.75 per- and respect for civil rights can coexist. Amodei DeSaulnier Kahele
cent added $196 million. Chicago, Portland, Building healthy and strong commu- Armstrong Deutch Kaptur
and Seattle—cities often accused of nities does not require us to choose be- Auchincloss Diaz-Balart Katko
defunding the police—all saw increases in Axne Dingell Keating
tween our rights and our safety. Bacon Doggett Keller
their 2022 police budgets. Paradoxically,
I thank the gentlewoman from Flor- Baird Doyle, Michael Kelly (IL)
Washington DC had the largest budget cut of Balderson
ida (Mrs. DEMINGS) for introducing this F. Kelly (MS)
3.98 percent but also the largest police budg- Banks Dunn Kelly (PA)
et per resident at $751.62. important legislation, which is sup- Barr Ellzey Khanna
CONCLUSION ported by a wide range of law enforce- Barragán Emmer Kildee
Democrats have been accused of defunding ment associations. Bass Escobar Kilmer
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to Beatty Eshoo Kim (CA)
the police as a larger ‘‘soft on crime’’ mes- Bentz Espaillat Kim (NJ)
sage from Republican officeholders and con- support it, and I yield back the balance Bera Evans Kind
servative media. In a previous report, we of my time. Bergman Feenstra Kinzinger
found that homicide rates were significantly The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time Beyer Ferguson Kirkpatrick
higher in the 25 states that voted for Trump Bice (OK) Finstad Krishnamoorthi
for debate has expired. Bilirakis Fischbach Kuster
compared to the 25 states that voted for Pursuant to House Resolution 1377, Bishop (GA) Fitzgerald Kustoff
Biden.
In this report, we find that police funding
the previous question is ordered on the Blumenauer Fitzpatrick LaHood
bill, as amended. Blunt Rochester Fleischmann LaMalfa
and police personnel levels are far higher in Bonamici Fletcher Lamb
the 25 largest Democrat-run cities compared The question is on the engrossment Bost Flood Lamborn
to the 25 largest Republican-run cities. In and third reading of the bill. Bourdeaux Flores Larsen (WA)
the most recent funding cycle, these same The bill was ordered to be engrossed Boyle, Brendan Foster Larson (CT)
Democratic cities increased their police and read a third time, and was read the F. Foxx Latta
budgets to a greater degree than cities with Brady Frankel, Lois LaTurner
third time. Brown (MD) Franklin, C. Lawrence
Republican mayors. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Brown (OH) Scott Lawson (FL)
Our conclusion is that the defund the po- Brownley Fulcher Lee (CA)
lice charge against Democrats may be politi-
question is on passage of the bill.
Buchanan Gallagher Lee (NV)
cally damaging, but it is factually inac- The question was taken; and the Bucshon Gallego Leger Fernandez
curate. If anything, Republican mayors have Speaker pro tempore announced that Budd Garamendi Lesko
a defund problem. the ayes appeared to have it. Burgess Garbarino Letlow
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I Bustos Garcia (CA) Levin (CA)
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve Butterfield Garcia (TX) Lieu
the balance of my time. demand the yeas and nays. Calvert Gibbs Lofgren
The yeas and nays were ordered. Carbajal Gimenez Long
b 1500 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Cárdenas Golden Lowenthal
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Carey Gonzales, Tony Lucas
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Carl Gonzalez (OH) Luetkemeyer
minutes to the gentleman from Ala- ceedings on this question will be post- Carson Gonzalez, Luria
bama (Mr. MOORE). poned. Carter (LA) Vicente Lynch
Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speak- Carter (TX) Gottheimer Mace
f Cartwright Granger Malinowski
er, I am a freshman, and the whole Case Graves (LA) Malliotakis
time I have been here I have been talk- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
Casten Graves (MO) Maloney,
ing about crime and the rise in crime PRO TEMPORE Castor (FL) Green, Al (TX) Carolyn B.
and how the Republican Party has sup- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pro- Castro (TX) Griffith Maloney, Sean
Chabot Grijalva Mann
ported the police. ceedings will resume on questions pre- Cheney Guest Manning
Down South, we use a lot of common viously postponed. Votes will be taken Cherfilus- Guthrie Matsui
sense sometimes to solve issues, and in the following order: McCormick Harder (CA) McBath
Chu Harris McCaul
the biggest issue we have right now in Passage of H.R. 6448; Cicilline Harshbarger McCollum
the country is the border. So what hap- H.R. 8542; Clark (MA) Hartzler McEachin
pens is that the drugs and the human H.R. 4118; and Clarke (NY) Hayes McGovern
trafficking follow through and goes to H.R. 5768. Cleaver Herrell McHenry
Cline Herrera Beutler McKinley
these cities. That is why we are seeing The first electronic vote will be con- Clyburn Higgins (NY) McNerney
a rise in fentanyl. ducted as a 15-minute vote. Pursuant Cohen Hill Meeks
One of the things I have observed is to clause 9 of rule XX, remaining elec- Cole Himes Meijer
they use backpacks for the heroin and Comer Hinson Meng
tronic votes will be conducted as 5- Connolly Hollingsworth Meuser
cocaine and fentanyl to pay their pas- minute votes. Conway Horsford Mfume
sage to the drug cartel. f Cooper Houlahan Miller (WV)
So now the Democrats are panicked Correa Hoyer Miller-Meeks
because we have an open border. We INVEST TO PROTECT ACT OF 2022 Costa Hudson Moolenaar
Courtney Huffman Mooney
also have a rise in crime. It is just curi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Craig Huizenga Moore (UT)
ous to me that now, all of sudden, we ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin- Crawford Issa Moore (WI)
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
want to address these issues. ished business is the vote on passage of Crenshaw Jackson Lee Morelle
Crow Jacobs (CA) Moulton
If you just look at the record across the bill (H.R. 6448) to direct the Direc- Cuellar Jacobs (NY) Mrvan
the country, Republican cities seem to tor of the Office of Community Ori- Curtis Jayapal Mullin
manage crime so much better. So I ented Policing Services of the Depart- Davids (KS) Jeffries Murphy (FL)
don’t think that more money is always ment of Justice to carry out a grant Davis, Danny K. Johnson (GA) Murphy (NC)
Davis, Rodney Johnson (LA) Nadler
a solution. Very often it is more man- program to provide assistance to police Dean Johnson (OH) Napolitano
agement and local control. departments with fewer than 200 law DeFazio Johnson (SD) Neal
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