Reps. Troy E. Nehls and Jimmy Panetta Lead FY25 CJS Appropriations Letter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:Emily Matthews, (202) 225-5951

Reps. Troy E. Nehls and Jimmy Panetta Lead FY25 CJS Appropriations Letter

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22)and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) led a bipartisan letter with 18 Members of Congress encouraging Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Ranking Member Matt Cartwright (D-PA) of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee to continue robust funding to provide the Protecting Our Lives by Initiating COPS Expansion (POLICE) Act of 2016 within the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 CJS Appropriations bill.

The POLICE Act provides hands-on, scenario-based, and integrated active shooter response training for local law enforcement and first responders, including emergency medical service (EMS) and firefighters.

To date, more than 146,000 first responders across the nation have been trained to respond to active attack situations through the POLICE Act. This training is delivered by veteran first responders with proven experience in active attack response and police training. Currently, training includes 14 courses, which are dynamic and evolve as lessons are learned from tragic active shooter incidents.

Training is delivered year-round in communities across the nation at no cost to the participating law enforcement, fire, and EMS jurisdictions through this program. On an annual basis, there are 600 law enforcement jurisdictions on the waitlist for active shooter training and current funding levels only enable roughly half or 300 jurisdictions per year to receive this important training.

"With the increase in crime and over 9.2 million illegal aliens having crossed our nation's borders with Joe Biden in the White House, our nation's first responders and law enforcement officers need to be prepared to face any situation while protecting and defending our communities from the lawlessness of the policies of the radical Left," said Congressman Nehls. "I'm proud to join Congressman Panetta in leading a letter to encourage Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Cartwright to continue robust funding to implement the POLICE Act and ensure that our nation's law enforcement and first responders are fully equipped to face the challenge of any active shooter situation."

"As active shooter threats continue to evolve around the country, our first responders need to be prepared to effectively counter such situations," said Congressman Panetta. "Since its passage, the POLICE Act has empowered more than 146,000 law enforcement, fire, and EMS officials with the skills that they need to save lives in those types of emergencies. I am proud to work with Rep. Nehls for continued, robust, and expanded funding for this bipartisan initiative that is critical to building smarter policing and safer communities."

Cosigners of the bipartisan letter include Representatives James Moylan (R-GU-00), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Zach Nunn (R-IA-03), Andy Kim (D-NJ-03), Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY-04), Pat Fallon (R-TX-04), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Colin Allred (D-TX-32).

Read the full letter below or HERE.

Dear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Cartwright,

As you prepare to develop the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, and Science and Related Agencies Appropriations (CJS) bill, we request that you continue robust funding to implement the Protecting Our Lives by Initiating COPS Expansion Act of 2016 (POLICE Act), Public Law 114-199, through the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program.

As you know, the POLICE Act funds nationally recognized active shooter training programs that offer scenario-based, integrated response courses designed to counter active shooter threats or acts of terrorism against individuals or facilities. The training that this funding facilitates is critical because effective active shooter response requires a precise and coordinated effort from all emergency service personnel. Without it, medical care is invariably delayed, often with tragic consequences. The POLICE Act and the work it prescribes has never been more important to enhance the integration of law enforcement, fire, and EMS' response to active shooter events.

To date, more than 146,000 first responders across the nation have been trained to respond to active attack situations through this program. This vital training is delivered by veteran first responders with proven experience in active attack response and police training. Currently, training includes fourteen courses, which are dynamic and change as lessons are learned from tragic active shooter incidents.

Training is delivered year-round in communities across the nation at no cost to the participating law enforcement, fire, and EMS jurisdictions through this program. On an annual basis, there are 600 law enforcement jurisdictions on the wait for active shooter training and current funding levels only enable roughly half or 300 jurisdictions per year to receive this important training.

Your subcommittee has been extremely supportive of this program in the past, and we encourage you to continue robust funding to implement the POLICE Act, so that our nation's first responders remain fully prepared to meet the challenge of any active shooter situation.

Thank you for your attention and consideration of this critical program.

Sincerely,

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