Nicole Malliotakis: “As a representative of more than a quarter of NYPD's 36,000 active officers, and thousands more retirees and first…”

“As a representative of more than a quarter of NYPD's 36,000 active officers, and thousands more retirees and first responders, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1280 and every piece of legislation that aims to cripple or degrade our law enforcement. Instead of working with Republicans, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have chosen to push forth yet another partisan bill that will diminish public safety and prevent our law enforcement officers from serving and protecting our communities, all while trying to hold them personally liable. The brave men and women who put on the uniform every day deserve better. We have offered real solutions to increase transparency, accountability, and performance so our Nation's law enforcement officers can better serve and protect all. But make no mistake, this bill you are about to pass today defunds the police. The Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that the unfunded mandates contained in this bill will drain the resources of State and local law enforcement to the tune of several hundred million dollars. This is negligence. As a resident of New York City who has seen our police department's budget slashed by a billion dollars by politicians who think they know more than the officers doing the job on the street, I can tell you that there are serious ramifications. Crime has skyrocketed. Last year, shootings increased by 97 percent, and murders increased by 44 percent.…”