Problem Solvers Caucus Renews Endorsement of Invest to Protect Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Invest to Protect Act (H.R.2711), legislation to provide federal grants to support small and mid-sized police departments. The Problem Solvers Caucus also endorsed this legislation in the 117th and 118th Congresses.
More than 94% of local police departments have fewer than 100 full-time officers. While these departments face many of the same challenges as larger forces, they often don’t have the same resources to compete for qualified officers, provide specialized training, or ensure officers have access to consistent mental health support.
The Invest to Protect Act will close that gap by providing federal grants to departments with fewer than 175 officers. The bill gives local police departments flexibility to spend the money in the areas of greatest need, including recruitment and retention efforts, officer safety and de-escalation training, and tuition assistance for advanced education. By ensuring smaller departments have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, this legislation will improve public safety in communities across the country.
The Invest to Protect Act is led by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and John Rutherford (FL-05), and has 44 additional cosponsors, including 24 Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Gottheimer and Mike Lawler (NY-17).
"My bipartisan Invest to Protect Act will make critical investments in our police departments to ensure that our officers across Jersey, and our nation, have the resources and training they need to keep themselves and our communities safe,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Vice-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “This bipartisan legislation will ensure we get the backs of our officers, by equipping them with the resources and training they need to do their jobs effectively."
“As we mark 25 years since the attacks of September 11th, New Yorkers remember all too well the courage and sacrifice of the men and women in law enforcement who run toward danger to protect our communities. The Invest to Protect Act helps ensure that smaller police departments, including many in the Hudson Valley, have the resources they need to recruit and retain officers, expand training, and support the mental health of those who serve,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).
“As a former Mayor and County Executive, I oversaw the 11th largest police force in America and I know how hard local law enforcement works to keep our communities safe, often with limited resources,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “This bipartisan bill will help give small and midsize departments the tools they need to train their officers and protect their communities, all while helping to ease the burden on local taxpayers. It’s a commonsense piece of legislation, and the Problem Solvers are proud to endorse it.”
“If we truly want to support law enforcement, we have to do more than say it—we must ensure our officers have the training, resources, and support necessary to meet the increasingly demanding challenges of the job,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “Across the country, small and midsize police departments carry enormous responsibility protecting their communities, often with limited personnel and funding. Having served in law enforcement, I know how critical it is that our departments have the tools to recruit, retain, and support the officers who serve on the front lines. The Invest to Protect Act does exactly that, and it’s precisely the kind of commonsense, bipartisan legislation the Problem Solvers Caucus was built to champion.”
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The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of Members of Congress — split between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation.