Problem Solvers Caucus Backs Bipartisan Bill to Invest in Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of National Police Week, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus highlighted their endorsement ofH.R. 3184, the Invest to Protect Act of 2023, legislation that seeks to strengthen police departments nationwide through targeted investments in officer safety, recruitment, and mental health.
According to a recent FBI study, there were more officer fatalities in the line of duty between 2021 and 2023 than in any other three-year period in the last two decades. Recent studies also reveal that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Law enforcement agencies nationwide are battling critical workforce shortages due to increasing officer resignations and retirements paired with declining applicant rates to police academies.
The Invest to Protect Act seeks to combat these troubling statistics by establishing targeted investments in small and midsize police departments to conduct critical training activities, provide mental health resources, obtain necessary equipment, and bolster officer recruitment and retention efforts.
The Invest to Protect Act is led by Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and currently has 70 cosponsors, 38 of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. This legislation passed in the House during the 117th Congress with 360 votes.
“Every day, our brave law enforcement wake up, put on a bulletproof vest, kiss their spouses and children goodbye, and put their lives on the line to look out for us. That’s why we must always get the backs of our first responders, and all those who serve our nation. With my bipartisan, bicameral legislation, we will make critical investments in our law enforcement, in training and tools, in recruiting and retaining the best talent, and in ensuring they have the resources they need to keep themselves and our communities safe,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m proud that my bipartisan legislation has now been endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus, as we focus on commonsense, bipartisan action that can actually get done.”
“As a retired NYPD Detective, I know how difficult the job of policing is and I am committed to marshaling the full resources of the federal government to support America’s law enforcement professionals in carrying out their mission to serve the public,” said Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), a retired NYPD detective. “The Invest to Protect Act is one way Congress is working to provide law enforcement agencies with an expanded toolkit of training options and mental health resources for their personnel, and I am proud to co-sponsor this crucial piece of legislation.”
“Now more than ever, our law enforcement needs our support,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “The bipartisan Invest to Protect Act of 2023 will make critical investments in law enforcement to assist with training, retention, and officer wellness. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this important legislation to further support our brave men and women in blue who keep our communities safe everyday.”
“Central Coast law enforcement officers work hard every day to protect our communities, combat gun violence, and keep our families safe,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24). “They shouldn’t have to worry about competing with big city police departments for funding that can help them recruit and train. The Invest to Protect Actwould ensure they get the resources they need to do their jobs.”
“During National Police Week and every week, it is incumbent on all of us to ensure our law enforcement officers have every tool at their disposal to keep our families and communities safe. To that end, I was proud to be an original cosponsor on H.R. 3184, the Invest to Protect Act, which now has 67 cosponsors and the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “The Invest to Protect Act will provide small and midsize police departments with funding for officer safety, de-escalation and domestic violence training, officer recruitment and retention, mental health resources, and other critical needs. Our police officers put their lives on the line every day they put on the badge. The Invest to Protect Act shows that it is possible for both parties to come together to support the brave men and women in our law enforcement community. I’m proud to be part of this tremendous effort and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure this important bill passes both chambers and is signed into law.”
“Keeping Minnesotans safe is the most important part of my job – and in the Second District, that means getting small and mid-sized police departments the tools, training, and resources they need to operate at the highest level. I’m proud to support the Invest to ProtectAct and will keep working to invest in public safety in Minnesota,” said Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02).
“Eastern North Carolinians rely on our law enforcement officers to protect our neighborhoods and ensure public safety,” said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). “The overwhelmingly bipartisan Invest to Protect Act of 2023 will provide much-needed support for small police departments to recruit, train, and retain officers and guarantee the resources needed to serve and protect our communities.”
“Local police departments are critical to protecting citizens and maintaining law and order throughout our nation. The bipartisan Invest to Protect Act will strengthen support for Western North Carolina’s local law enforcement by providing training, mental health resources and assistance with recruitment and retention of police officers,” said Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). “I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure our brave officers get the necessary support and resources to continue protecting our communities while staying safe themselves.”
“Police are an essential pillar of our society, helping to keep our neighborhoods and families safe. Smaller local police departments should have the funding they need to recruit, train and equip their officers,” said Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08). “I was proud to introduce this bill with my Republican and Democratic colleagues, and I’m thrilled to have the support of the Problem Solvers Caucus.”
“Small and mid-size police departments are essential to protecting communities across Nevada and the country; that is why we need to give them the tools to prevent crime before it happens. Investments in crime prevention and violence interruption programs, after-school programs, and mental health resources will be complemented by these increased resources for these departments. The partnerships that can be built between communities and police will help make all of our communities safer and make our criminal justice system fairer and more accountable for all. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to advance this bill and others that invest in smart solutions and improve accountability because we all should agree bad policing should have no place in any community,” said Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04).
“To protect our communities, we must ensure our local police departments have the resources they need to train, retain, and recruit a solid police force. This bipartisan, commonsense proposal sends a clear message to law enforcement that we have their backs and will continue to invest in their success and wellbeing,” saidCongresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05).
“I’m proud to back this bipartisan bill which would help provide smaller police departments like the ones in Maine’s Second District with the resources they need to retain, recruit, and properly equip officers to protect their towns,” said Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02).
“We have to make significant and smart investments in public safety, and ensure our officers, and the communities they serve, get the resources and supports they need,” said Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01). “We believe the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act ensures every department, regardless of size, has the tools to do their jobs.”
“When our local law enforcement officers are called to show up, there are countless situations that they could be walking into. From domestic violence to drug overdoses and mental health crises, the difficult situations that officers face require specialized training and resources to protect themselves and every one of us,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03). “I’m proud that this legislation brings Democrats and Republicans together to support and better prepare our local law enforcement officers to keep our communities safe.”
“Thank you to the police officers across San Joaquin County who put everything on the line to protect our families,” said Congressman Josh Harder (CA-09). “Police Week needs to be about more than nice words – it needs to be about action. I was proud to introduce the Invest to Protect Act to make sure our local police departments have the funding and the officers they need to keep us safe and I’m glad this common-sense bill has such strong bipartisan support. Now let’s get this done.”
“One of my biggest priorities is ensuring that our families, friends, and neighbors in North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District are safe in their communities,” said Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13). “The Invest to Protect Act is widely supported, common sense legislation that will help fund small law enforcement departments and enable them to access federal grant funding for training, recruitment and retention, mental health care, and additional resources necessary to keep our communities safe. I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation and will continue to work with my colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus to advance this bill through the House of Representatives.”
“The Invest to Protect Act would create a much-needed grant program for police departments with fewer than 200 officers, which includes the vast majority of police departments in this country and particularly in my community of Chester and Berks Counties. These grants could be used for investments in de-escalation and domestic violence training, body cameras, mental health support, and other needs," said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). "Every year, my office hears from local police departments who desperately need additional resources. I’m proud we’ve secured funding for some of those departments through Community Project Funding Grants, but we need a durable solution – the Invest to Protect Act is a major leap forward in finding that solution.”
“Throughout the nation and in our communities, those who work in law enforcement are facing a number of challenges including the rates of crime, the retention and recruitment of personnel, and the physical and mental toll on our officers,” said Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). “This bipartisan legislation allows the federal government to play its part by continuing to fund the police with investments in training and support services for small to mid-sized law enforcement departments. This bill isn’t just bipartisan, it’s also a commonsense fix for federal resources essential to bolstering both trust in our country’s law enforcement officers and public safety in our communities.”
“Members of local law enforcement do critical work to keep our communities and our families safe, and they deserve our support,” said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). “This bipartisan legislation will help recruit and retain officers and provide them with the training needed to protect themselves and the communities they serve. I proudly stand with my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I will continue to fight to ensure our local police departments have the tools, training, and resources to improve public safety.”
“It’s vital that our police departments in smaller and rural communities have the resources they need to support the officers that keep their neighborhoods safe,” said Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-07). “This legislation will help departments provide their officers with specialized training in de-escalation and responding to domestic violence. The bill also provides funds that will allow departments to provide mental health resources to their officers – an important need that I’ve seen firsthand after the shootings at Oxford High School and Michigan State University. This is a smart bipartisan bill that will make a real difference for our small towns, so I’m pleased to see it endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus.”
“As a former federal law enforcement officer, I’m committed to connecting local police departments — like many I represent in smaller, more rural communities — with the tools, training, and support they need,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07). “After hearing for years from Virginia police departments that are working to recruit and retain qualified officers, I’ve been proud to help lead the Invest to Protect Act to support those who work each day to keep our neighbors and our communities safe. I’m encouraged that the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed this legislation that is supported by lawmakers across the ideological spectrum — and passed with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House last year.”
The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
###