Don Bacon: “I thank Representative Rutherford for leading tonight's Special Order and being the expert on law enforcement issues. We…”

“I thank Representative Rutherford for leading tonight's Special Order and being the expert on law enforcement issues. We came in together, and I look to the gentleman for doing the right thing to support our police. I appreciate Mr. Pascrell, too. We worked a lot on traumatic brain injury and law enforcement issues. We find areas to agree on. I know Mr. Gottheimer is getting up here soon, and he is also a partner in many of our policies that we need to work on together. I rise today in honor of our police, the men and women who walk the streets of our communities to keep us safe. Those who leave their families do so every day to protect ours. In particular, I recognize the 556 officers who never returned to their families last year, including Saunders County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Hermanson, who passed away. He was a K9 handler and a volunteer firefighter. Deputy Hermanson was best remembered as a respected officer dedicated to his job. The best way we can honor those who give their lives, and their families, is to introduce legislation that better protects them on the job and prepares them for their profession and protects them in retirement. This Congress I introduced H.R. 355, the Back the Blue Act of 2023, which makes it a Federal crime to kill, attempt to kill, or conspire to kill a Federal judge, a Federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer.…”