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[Page S5809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Protect and Serve Act
Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, across the country, Americans watched in
horror as news stations reported the shooting of two sheriff's deputies
in Los Angeles, who were brutally targeted by a murderous, violent
criminal.
In North Carolina, just 2 days earlier, sheriff's deputy Ryan
Hendrix, a father of two young children, a man planning to get married,
was murdered in cold blood while responding to a family under siege by
an evil criminal.
So far in 2020 alone, 37 law enforcement officers have been murdered
by violent criminals and hundreds have been wounded while protecting
our communities.
Despite these senseless deaths and the gruesome violence against
police, there are those who support radical ideas like defunding or
abolishing the police. These dangerous policies would allow criminals
to roam free throughout our communities, unchallenged and unafraid.
The agitators pushing to abolish the police have sown the seeds of
discord in our country by disrespecting law enforcement and
disregarding their brave service to our Nation. Just look at Asheville,
NC. Since June 1, over 30 police officers have left the law enforcement
profession. These brave men and women are tired of being attacked
physically, emotionally, and personally, simply for trying to keep
their communities safe, every single damn day.
They put on a uniform to go protect their community, not sure if they
are going to come back safe, and they do it anyway, and we owe them a
debt of gratitude. But they are sick of the opportunistic politicians
like the Democratic leader and AOC attacking them for just doing their
jobs.
Worst of all is the specter of targeted attacks like those against
the deputies in Los Angeles. The harmful rhetoric being used by the
radical, anti-police leftists encourages an environment of hostility,
which emboldens criminals and murderers. The result is brazen attacks
against law enforcement officers in broad daylight.
In light of the toxic environment being created in this country,
which devalues police, I believe the Senate must act to protect law
enforcement officers and show them our support. That is why I have
introduced the Protect and Serve Act with 16 of my Republican
colleagues.
The Protect and Serve Act would punish criminals who target law
enforcement officers and harm them. These criminals will receive up to
10 years in prison, and if they murder or kidnap a law enforcement
officer, they will get a life sentence.
It is sad that Congress even needs to consider a bill to protect
police officers, but let me be clear: Attacks against any law
enforcement officers are no laughing matter. Congress must pass the
Protect and Serve Act immediately and boldly say there is no escape
from justice for dangerous criminals who intentionally assault or kill
a law enforcement officer.
Today, I call on every single Democrat to support this commonsense
legislation. The question is simple: Do you support the men and women
in blue who fight every day to keep our communities safe or do you
support lawless, reckless, liberal mobs who want to defund the police?
It is a yes-or-no question. You either back the blue or you back
anarchy.
As long as I am a U.S. Senator I will do everything I can to protect
our men and women who protect our communities every single day. I
expect and they deserve no less.
I hope my Democratic colleagues can stand up to AOC, the Squad, and
their radical liberal base and do the same. It is time to back the
blue. It is time to restore safety in our communities. It is time to
end the killing of law enforcement officers and people just trying to
protect us every single day.
I yield the floor.
Mr. TILLIS. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Loeffler). The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
