Whitehouse pushes Trump administration to reinstate funding for programs that support law enforcement and reduce crime
Washington, D.C. – To mark National Police Week, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced that two of his bipartisan bills, the Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies (CARE) Act and the reauthorization of the Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, were unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both pieces of legislation now head to the full Senate for a vote.
“Police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. I am especially grateful for the men and women of Rhode Island’s local and state police who nobly serve and protect the Ocean State,” said Whitehouse, a former Rhode Island Attorney General and U.S. Attorney. “I’m very pleased that these two bipartisan bills supporting law enforcement on the job and their loved ones at home unanimously passed through the Committee, and I’d like to thank Senators Cornyn and Hawley for partnering with me to advance these important bills this National Police Week.”
Senator Whitehouse is an original cosponsor of the Senate resolutionrecognizing National Police Week, during which Americans pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and their families, and pay special honor to officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Senators Whitehouse and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Improving Police CARE Act earlier in May. The bill would equip law enforcement officers with quality trauma kits so they can respond immediately if a civilian or fellow officer experiences a traumatic injury during a call. Trauma kits play a vital role in preventing civilian and officer deaths due to blood loss.
Senators Whitehouse and Josh Hawley (R-MO) first introduced the STOIC Actin 2019, and it was signed into law later that year. The legislation provides grant funding for law enforcement family-support services and establishes suicide-prevention programs and mental health services for law enforcement officers. The reauthorization of the STOIC Act unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last year and went on to pass a Senate-wide vote, but was not taken up by the House.
Yesterday, Senator Whitehouse, as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi warning that the Department of Justice’s termination of hundreds of grants will imperil bipartisan efforts in Congress and law enforcement agencies across the country to combat the opioid epidemic, reduce juvenile crime and delinquency, and help states save money and reduce recidivism. Whitehouse urged DOJ to swiftly reinstate these grantees’ funding so they can continue to serve the American people and support law enforcement’s efforts to keep communities safe.
“I find it hard to believe that combatting the opioid epidemic, reducing juvenile crime and delinquency, and helping states save money and reduce recidivism are not priorities for any Administration seriously committed to public safety,” Whitehouse wrote.
