Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. It is good to have something bipartisan on this floor, I will tell you that. Mr. Speaker, during this devastating pandemic, our Nation's first responders have stood heroically on the very front lines keeping communities across America safe. Our firefighters, police, and EMS go to work every day, and they risk their lives and the lives of their families. In my own district, we lost Paterson police officer Frank Scorpo and Passaic firefighter Israel Tolentino to COVID. These men made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities. My heart bleeds for all of our fallen first responders and their families. Last year was the deadliest ever for our Nation's public safety officers. COVID has made it clear as day that more must be done to support these heroes. As long-time co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus and the Fire Services Caucus, I have been proud to lead efforts to pass the bipartisan Protecting America's First Responders Act with Senator Chuck Grassley. I want to thank Senator Grassley for working together to get this bill across the finish line. He has been a good partner to shepherd this through the other Chamber. Currently, the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program only provides disability benefits to first responders who can never again perform any compensated work at all. This is so restrictive that officers practically need to be in a vegetative state to qualify.…”