Bill Pascrell: “We made a decision on a bipartisan basis that it was a responsibility because we needed to protect the homeland. So…”

“We made a decision on a bipartisan basis that it was a responsibility because we needed to protect the homeland. So Democrats and Republicans supported the protection in trying to help communities fight crime and put out fires. It is a shame that we do not even consider the COPS program as part of homeland security because, if you don't have it here, you have it nowhere. This is a security issue. It is a priority. How many officers in the past 2 months have been shot down doing their job in this country? Double last year. And we know that small communities and large communities have taken advantage of the COPS program. This is important to our communities. I was a mayor of the third largest city in New Jersey. I know what those police officers on the street in the communities mean to protecting folks in my town where I still live. I know the results. Since 1992, I know those results inside and out. We're making a big mistake here.”