Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to allow the Department of Defense's 1033 excess property program to be administered as originally intended by Congress to assist State and local law enforcement agencies. For more than 25 years, this program has allowed often cash-strapped local law enforcement jurisdictions to get the equipment they need, almost always excess military equipment that the Department of Defense no longer needs. This is equipment that they need to keep our communities safe at a low cost. Mr. Chairman, this is equipment that often will be provided to other countries in excess or just sent off to the boneyard. Instead, why don't we save the taxpayers money? Why don't we give police and sheriffs' departments the equipment that they need to keep our communities safe? I am proud that this amendment is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs' Association. This amendment would prohibit essentially the enforcement of what I believe is a radical, antipolice series of rules and regulations established through executive order by both former President Obama and, most recently, President Biden, that limited the transfer of lifesaving equipment to law enforcement under the 1033 program. The executive order also makes the equipment that these local law enforcement entities have, Mr. Chairman, burdensome to use, with literally mountains of paperwork and certifications.…”