2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Condemn Calls To Defund The Police And To
State That Such Calls Result In Increased Violence Towards Law
Enforcement. In May 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the resolution that would condemn calls to
defund the police, which it says has 'increased violence towards law
enforcement officers.' It would recognize that law enforcement officers
must have the equipment, training and resources needed to protect the
health and safety of the public as well as their fellow law enforcement
officers on the job. It would recognize the need for better data
collection on law enforcement officers who are assaulted, injured, or
disabled in the line of duty. It also would acknowledge the mental
stress and strain law enforcement officers suffer not only because of
the job's pressures and realities, but also the 'negative environment in
which they often must work.'" The House adopted the resolution by a vote
of 337 to 61. [House Vote 218,
5/17/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/17/24; Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1213]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Praise Local Law Enforcement And Condemn
Calls To Defund Or Abolish The Police. In May 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for a concurrent resolution
that would "express that Congress recognizes and appreciates the
'dedication and devotion' of local law enforcement officers and condemns
'calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.' Among
other provisions, the resolution's preamble would state that 'looting,
rioting, and violence in major cities' in the summer of 2020 caused the
destruction of many businesses; that the national murder rate in 2020
was the highest total since 1995; that 'leftist activists and
progressive politicians' have called for defunding or dismantling police
and 'actively encouraged resentment toward local law enforcement'; that
'the defund police movement vilifies and demonizes local law enforcement
officers and puts them at greater risk of danger;' and that 'violent
leftist extremists have repeatedly attacked and assaulted local law
enforcement officers.' As amended, it would express that local law
enforcement officers who have been accused of misconduct should have
certain rights in the course of investigations and encourage states to
adopt a 'Bill of Rights' related to such officers' rights." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 301 to 119.
[House Vote 227,
5/18/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/18/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.
40]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Condemn Calls To Defund Law
Enforcement Agencies. In May 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule that would
provide for floor consideration of [...] the concurrent resolution (H
Con Res 40) expressing support for law enforcement and condemning
efforts to defund law enforcement agencies. The rule would provide for
one hour of general debate on each bill. It would make in order floor
consideration of two amendments to HR 2494, four amendments to HR 3091
and one amendment to H Con Res 40." The vote was on the adoption of the
rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 222 to 203. [House Vote
216, 5/16/23;
Congressional Quarterly,
5/16/23; Congressional Actions,
H.Res.
398;
Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.
40]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted To Condemn Calls To Defund Law
Enforcement Agencies. In May 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the concurrent
resolution (H Con Res 40) expressing support for law enforcement and
condemning efforts to defund law enforcement agencies. The rule would
provide for one hour of general debate on each bill. It would make in
order floor consideration of two amendments to HR 2494, four amendments
to HR 3091 and one amendment to H Con Res 40." The vote was on a motion
to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote
of 220 to 209. [House Vote 215,
5/16/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/16/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
398;
Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.
40]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Omnibus Spending Proposal Preventing
Another Government Shutdown And Providing $304 Million For The
Community Oriented Policing Services Program. In February 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted for the FY 2019 consolidated appropriations bill.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "This Conference Summary describes
the agreement on H J Res 31, Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY
2019, which provides detailed, full-year funding for all seven remaining
FY 2019 spending bills ---thereby completing the FY 2019 appropriations
process. The centerpiece, Homeland Security, provides $1.375 billion
for new and replacement barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico,
including 55 miles of new fencing, along with an increase of $1.5
billion in other border security funding --- such as for new technology
at ports of entry and additional Customs officers. Outside of the
Homeland bill, it includes another $1.6 billion for border security, as
well as a 1.9% pay increase for federal civilian employees." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 300 to 128. The
bill was later signed into law by the president. [House Vote 87,
2/14/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/14/19; Congressional
Actions, H. J. Res.
31]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Allocate 2%
Funding And Authorize $8 Million Annually Through FY 2026 To Improve
Criminal Justice Response Policies And Enhance LGBTQ-Related Victim
Services. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for en bloc amendments no.1
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "reserve 2 percent of
funding authorized by the bill for grants to improve criminal justice
response policies and grants to support families in the justice system
for grants to enhance LGBTQ-specific victim services, and authorize an
additional $8 million annually through fiscal 2026 for such purposes."
The vote was on the adoption of amendments. The House adopted the
amendments by a vote of 228-197. [House Vote 83,
3/17/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/17/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
31;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Expand A Justice
Department Grant Program To Develop And Strengthen Policies And Training
For Police Officers, Prosecutors, And The Judiciary To Prosecute
Instances Of Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault And Harassment. In
March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "expand an existing Justice Department grant
program aimed at improving criminal justice policies in response to
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking against
individuals who have had contact with the justice system to allow the
department to make grants to develop or strengthen policies and training
for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and the judiciary in
recognizing and prosecuting instances of such violence." The vote was on
the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote
of 242-174. [House Vote 84,
3/17/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/17/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
33;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1620]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Responding To The January 6th
Insurrection By Providing $520.9 Million To The National Guard And
Various Law Enforcement Agencies And $66.8 Million To D.C. For
Terrorist Threat And Federal Presence Expenses. In May 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against the Emergency Security Supplemental
Appropriations Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"For expenses related to the Jan. 6 attack and to prevent similar
incidents, it would provide $520.9 million for the National Guard and
funding for several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and
National Park Service. It would provide $66.8 million to the District
of Columbia for public safety expenses related to terrorist threats and
federal presence in the district." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 213-212, and was sent to the Senate and the
President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 156,
5/20/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/20/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3237]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The George Floyd Justice In Policing
Act Of 2021, Which Would Create Policing Data Requirements And Restrict
Law Enforcement Agencies From Using Certain Policing Practices. In
March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the George Floyd Justice in
Policing Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"establish reporting and oversight requirements related to policing data
and restrict the use of certain policing practices by federal law
enforcement agencies and state and local agencies receiving certain
federal policing grants." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 220-212. The Senate did not take substantive action on
the bill. [House Vote 60,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280]
House Democrats Drafted Identical Legislation During The 116th
Congress After The Killing Of George Floyd, Followed By The Deaths
Of Other Black Americans And Continued Police Violence In Spring
2021 Where At Least 23 Black Americans Were Killed. According to
Vox, "In June 2020, House Democrats crafted identical legislation in
response to the worldwide demonstrations against police brutality
that were sparked by the killing of George Floyd by then-Minnesota
police officer Derek Chauvin --- and that were sustained by the
deaths of dozens of other Black Americans, including Breonna Taylor,
Daniel Prude, and Rayshard Brooks. Since then, police violence
against Black Americans has not waned. In the first few months of
2021, police have killed at least 23 Black Americans; prominent
incidents of violence include an officer in Rochester, New York,
pepper-spraying a handcuffed 9-year-old girl, and police killing
52-year-old Patrick Lynn Warren following a mental health 911 call
placed on his behalf." [Vox,
3/3/21]
The Policies Placed By The Measure Would Be Tied To The Federal
Funding Of State And Local Governments. According to Politico,
"The federal policies would be tied to law enforcement funding for
governments at the state and local levels." [Politico,
3/3/21]
The Police Reform Bill Was Named After George Floyd, Who Was
Killed After A White Minneapolis Police Officer Knelt On His Neck
For Minutes, And The Police Officer Was Scheduled To Go On Trial
Days After The Passage Of The Bill. According to CBS News, "The
bill is named after Floyd, the Black man who died May 25 after a
white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for minutes. The
officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired, and he faces charges of
second-degree murder and manslaughter. His trial and jury selection
are scheduled to begin Monday." [CBS News,
3/3/21]
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy Claimed The Bill Would
"Defund The Police" By Placing New Regulations That Would
Effectively "Drain" The Resources Of Police Departments. According
to The New York Times, "Representative Kevin McCarthy of California,
the Republican leader, repeated one of those attacks on Thursday,
asserting that the bill would 'defund the police' by imposing
'mountains of new regulations' that would drain departments'
resources." [The New York Times,
3/4/21]
The Bill Would Have Allowed For Subpoenas For Evidence In
Potential Constitutional Rights Violations By Law Enforcement And
Authorized State Grants To Aid Investigations. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "authorize subpoenas by the Justice
Department or state attorneys general for evidence related to
potential violations of constitutional rights by law enforcement and
authorize grants to states to support such investigations."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/21]
The Bill Would Have Authorized Funds For Community-Based Policing
Practices And Non-Police Public Safety Initiatives. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "authorize grant funding for activities
related to community-based policing practices and non-police public
safety initiatives." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/21]
The Bill Would Have Limited The Transfer Of Military Equipment To
State And Local Law Enforcement Agencies. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "limit the transfer of military equipment
from the Defense Department to state and local law enforcement
agencies." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/3/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting No-Knock Warrants,
Chokeholds And The Use Of Deadly Or Less Lethal Force Before Using
De-Escalation Methods. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the
George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "restrict a number of policing practices by
federal law enforcement agencies and state and local agencies that
receive federal funding, including to prohibit the use of 'no-knock
warrants' to execute searches in drug cases; the use of deadly force,
including chokeholds, except as a 'last resort' to prevent imminent
injury to an officer or another person; and the use of deadly or 'less
lethal' force before exhausting reasonable alternatives, including
deescalation tactics." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 220-212. The Senate did not take substantive action on
the bill. [House Vote 60,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280]
June 2020: Senate Republicans Wanted A Plan That Would Not Ban
Chokeholds Outright, But Democrats Said It Would Not Address Racial
Inequity. According to NPR, "The bill passed the House by a
220-212 vote, mostly along party lines. But it has faced an uphill
climb in the Senate, where Republicans have sought to revive a
competing plan by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., designed to diminish the
use of chokeholds --- but not ban them outright --- and increase
federal reporting requirements for use of force and no-knock
warrants. Democrats blocked the plan last June, saying it did not go
far enough to address racial inequality." [NPR,
4/21/21]
The Measure Would Ban Chokeholds At The Federal Level And No-Knock
Warrants In Drug Cases At The Federal Level. According to
Politico, "The bill would prohibit racial and religious profiling by
law enforcement at every level while banning chokeholds at the
federal level and no-knock warrants in federal drug cases."
[Politico,
3/3/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting Racial Profiling, Against
Authorizing Legal Action Against Racial Profiling And Against Requiring
Racial Profiling Training And Oversight Procedures. In March 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of
2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit racial
profiling by law enforcement, authorize lawsuits regarding violations of
the prohibition, and require agencies to implement racial profiling
training and oversight procedures." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 220-212. The Senate did not take
substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 60,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Eliminating Qualified Immunity By
Prohibiting Using "Acting In Good Faith" And The Lack Of Established Law
As Legal Defenses For Charged Police Officers. In March 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of
2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "eliminate
'qualified immunity' protections for law enforcement officers by
prohibiting legal defenses based on an officer acting 'in good faith' or
the purported absence of 'clearly established' law." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-212. The Senate did
not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 60,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring Federal Law Enforcement To
Use Body And Dashboard Cameras And State And Local Agencies To Grant
Funds To Buy And Implement Body Cameras. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick
voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require federal law
enforcement officers to use body cameras and dashboard cameras and
require state and local agencies to use certain grant funding to
purchase body cameras and develop protocols for their use." The vote was
on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-212. The Senate
did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 60,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Providing $750 Million Annually
Through FY 2024 To Support Independent Investigations Of Law Enforcement
Usage Of Deadly Force, Including The Creation Of Civilian Review
Boards. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the George Floyd
Justice in Policing Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "authorize $750 million annually through fiscal 2024 for
grants to support independent investigations into police use of deadly
force, including to create civilian review boards." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-212. The Senate did
not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 60,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The George Floyd In
Policing Act, Which Would Be A Policing Overhaul. In March 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion
to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee." The vote was on
a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of
208-219. [House Vote 59,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1280]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The George Floyd In
Policing Act, Which Would Be A Policing Overhaul. In March 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the
"adoption of the rule that would provide for House floor consideration
of [...] the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (HR 1280)." The vote
was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of
218-207. [House Vote 51,
3/1/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/1/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1280;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
179]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The George Floyd In
Policing Act, Which Would Be A Policing Overhaul. In March 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the
"motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and
possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 179) that would provide for
House floor consideration of [...] the George Floyd Justice in
Policing Act (HR 1280)." The vote was on a motion to order the previous
question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 220-201. [House
Vote 50, 3/1/21;
Congressional Quarterly, 3/1/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1280;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
179]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The George Floyd Justice In Policing
Act. In June 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the House police reform bill
that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "establish reporting
and oversight requirements related to policing data and restrict the use
of certain policing practices by federal law enforcement agencies and
state and local agencies receiving certain federal policing grants. It
would restrict a number of policing practices [...] including to
prohibit the use of 'no-knock warrants' to execute searches in drug
cases; the use of deadly force, including chokeholds, except as a 'last
resort' to prevent imminent injury to an officer or another person; and
the use of deadly or 'less lethal' force before exhausting reasonable
alternatives, including deescalation tactics. It would prohibit racial
profiling by law enforcement, authorize lawsuits regarding violations of
the prohibition, and require agencies to implement racial profiling
training and oversight procedures. It would require the Justice
Department to establish a national police misconduct registry, and it
would establish a number of reporting requirements for law enforcement
agencies, including on use of force, racial profiling, officer
misconduct records and routine policing practices [...] It would
eliminate 'qualified immunity' protections for law enforcement officers
by prohibiting legal defenses based on an officer acting 'in good faith'
or the purported absence of 'clearly established' law. It would require
federal law enforcement officers to use body cameras and dashboard
cameras." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote
of 236-181. [House Vote 119,
6/25/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/25/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.7120]
The Legislation Eliminated Legal Protections For Police Officers
And Banned Uses Of Deadly Force Such As Chokeholds. According to
the New York Times, "The House on Thursday passed an expansive
policing overhaul bill aimed at combating racial discrimination and
excessive use of force in law enforcement [...] It would eliminate
legal protection that shield police officers from lawsuits, make it
easier to prosecute them for wrongdoing, impose a new set of
restrictions on the use of deadly force, and effectively ban the use
of chokeholds." [New York Times,
6/25/20]
The Bill Created A National Registry To Track Police Misconduct.
According to the New York Times, "The bill would also create a
national registry to track police misconduct and require law
enforcement agencies to report data on the use of force, aim to
force departments to eliminate the use of chokeholds, and conditions
some federal grants on the adoption of anti-discrimination training
and practices." [New York Times,
6/25/20]
The Bill Received Support From Over 100 Civil Rights Groups, As
Well As Some Parents Of Black Americans Killed By The Police
Including Tamir Rice And Eric Garner's Mothers. According to the
New York Times, "Over 100 civil rights groups endorsed the
legislation, as did some families of black Americans killed by the
police, including Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, who died in
2014 after an officer put him in a chokehold, and Samaria Rice, the
mother of Tamir rice, a 12-year-old boy who was shot for carrying a
toy gun [...] Law enforcement organizations and police unions
forcefully opposed it." [New York Times,
6/25/20]
Republicans Stated The Bill Is A Federal Overreach, And The White
House Issued A Veto Statement, Claiming It Would "Weaken The Ability
Of Law Enforcement Agencies To Reduce Crime." According to the New
York Times, "Republicans have said the bill is a federal overreach
into policing that will never pass the Senate [...] The white
House issued an official threat to veto the measure, calling it
'overboard' and arguing that it would 'deter good people from
pursuing careers in law enforcement' and 'weaken the ability of law
enforcement agencies to reduce crime.'" [New York Times,
6/25/20]
Despite Bipartisan Determination To Pass A Police Reform Bill, The
Refusal To Compromise On Both Sides Will Likely Thwart Any
Legislation From Being Passed This Year. According to the New York
Times, "Passage of the legislation [...] only underscored the
depth of the stalemate in Congress over how to bring about law
enforcement changes that both parties say are needed [...] Over
two weeks ago, as protestors thronged streets in big cities and
small towns across the nation, many lawmakers on Capitol Hill hoped
that they would be able to bridge a previously insurmountable gulf
on police reform efforts and pass legislation addressing systemic
racism in law enforcement. Those hopes have rapidly fizzled,
replaced by bitter recriminations after Senate Democrats refused on
Wednesday even to allow the Republican bill to come up for debate,
calling it 'woefully inadequate.' [...] Both Republicans and
Democrats have insisted that the opportunity to revive policing
reform efforts has not been foreclosed. But given the partisan
gridlock, and with lawmakers in both chambers expected to be out of
Washington for extended periods of time leading up to the November
election, many of them privately concede that a compromise will be
difficult to strike." [New York Times,
6/25/20]