2024: Schweikert Voted To Require The Justice Department To Submit Reports On Attacks On Law Enforcement Officers To The Judiciary Committees. In May 2024, Schweikert voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would require the Justice Department, within 270 days of the bill's enactment, to submit to the congressional judiciary committees reports regarding attacks on law enforcement officers, including on: the number of offenders who intentionally target law enforcement officers because of their status as officers and recommendations for improving state, local and federal responses to ambushes and violent attacks on officers; the ability to implement a new category in the Uniform Crime Reporting program and the National Incident-Based Reporting System on aggressive actions, conduct or other trauma-inducing incidents against officers that are not reported in such systems; the types, frequency and severity of mental health and stress-related responses of officers to aggressive actions or other trauma-inducing incidents against officers as well as mental health and stress-related resources or programs for federal, state and local officers." The House passed the bill by a vote of 356 to 55. [House Vote 203, 5/15/24; Congressional Quarterly, 5/15/24; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7581]
2023: Schweikert Voted To Specify The Rights Of Local Police Officers Who Have Been Accused Of Misconduct, Including A Right To Self-Defense, A Right To Legal Recourse, A Right To Have Legal Representation, A Right To Be Informed Of The Nature Of The Investigation, A Right Not Be Threatened With Charges During Questioning, A Right To Respond To Adverse Accusations, And A Right To Not Be Disciplined For Exercising Their Right To Remain Silent. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for an amendment to a concurrent resolution that would "expand the resolution's preamble to state that local law enforcement officers who have been accused of misconduct should have certain rights in the course of investigations, including an inherent right to self-defense against physical threats; a right to legal recourse if a civilian attempts to assault them; a right to have representation present during questioning; a right to be informed of the nature of an investigation before any interview commences, including the name of the complainant; a right not to be threatened with departmental, civil or criminal charges during questioning; a right to respond to adverse accusations; and a right not to be disciplined for exercising a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Among other provisions, it would encourage states to adopt a 'Bill of Rights' for local law enforcement personnel for protections related to investigations arising from their official duties." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 268 to 156. [House Vote 226, 5/18/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/23; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res. 40; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 181]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against Awarding Grants To Law Enforcement Agencies Or Prosecuting Offices To Establish Clearance And Technological Investigative Practices To Improve Clearance Rates For Homicides, Sexual Assaults, Kidnappings And Non-Fatal Shootings. In September 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Act of 2022, which would "require the Justice Department, within 180 days of enactment, to establish a grant program to help law enforcement agencies or prosecuting offices establish and implement clearance and technological investigative practices to improve clearance rates for homicides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings and non-fatal shootings. It would authorize $100 million annually through fiscal 2032 for the program. Projects eligible for grant funding would include developing policies, procedures and training to help detectives effectively investigate and solve crimes; hiring and retaining detectives and other personnel involved in collecting, processing, and testing evidence or analyzing violent crime; supporting victim services; implementing policies that safeguard civil rights and civil liberties in processing evidence; and establishing programs to support officers who experience stress or trauma as a result of responding to or investigating violent crimes. The bill would require grant recipients, within one year of receiving a grant, to submit a report to the department on funded activities and require the National Institute of Justice to submit a biennial report to Congress evaluating the practices used by grant recipients and the efficacy of any services provided to victims and their family members. It would establish a 100 percent federal cost share for grants awarded through 2032 and, for subsequent grants, a 50 percent federal cost share that could be adjusted by the department." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 250-178. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 454, 9/22/22; Congressional Quarterly, 9/22/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5768]
The Bill Would Have Authorized $100 Million Annually Through FY 2032 For The Grant Program. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would authorize $100 million annually through fiscal 2032 for the program." [Congressional Quarterly, 9/22/22]
The Bill Would Have Supported Law Enforcement Agencies Create Violence Incident Clearance And Technological Investigative Methods. According to The Washington Post, "The Victim Act of 2022 would help law enforcement agencies establish violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods. The measure was sponsored by Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), who is trying to unseat Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)." [The Washington Post, 9/22/22]
2024: Schweikert Voted To Expand Eligible Expenditures Under The Community-Oriented Policing Grant Program To Include Certain Recruiting-Related Costs And To Require The Department Of Justice To Establish Procedures For Understaffed Law Enforcement Agencies Applying For Grants. In May 2024, Schweikert voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would modify the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to specify that Justice Department public safety and community policing grants could be used to support hiring activities by law enforcement agencies experiencing officer recruitment application declines by reducing application-related fees, including for background checks, psychological evaluations and testing. It would permit the department to use up to $3 million, out of amounts made available for such grants in a fiscal year, to award competitive grants to a law enforcement agency in partnership with an elementary or secondary school or higher education institution for recruiting activities that support student exploration of potential law enforcement career opportunities. It also would require the DOJ, within 180 days of the bill's enactment, to establish consistent procedures for understaffed law enforcement agencies applying for a hiring grant under the public safety and community policing grant program, including guidance that would clarify that the agencies remain eligible for such grant funding and enable them to attest that the grant funding is not being used to supplant state or local funds. It also would require the Government Accountability Office, within 540 days after the bill's enactment, to submit to the congressional judiciary committees a report containing the study on the effects of recruitment and attrition rates on federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies in the U.S." The House passed the bill by a vote of 370 to 18. [House Vote 196, 5/14/24; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/24; Congressional Actions, S. 546]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against Requiring The Justice Department To Develop Or Identify Pre-Existing Trainings For Law Enforcement And Crisis Responders Regarding De-Escalation, Mental Health Crises And Individuals With Disabilities. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022, which would "require the Justice Department, within 180 days of enactment, to develop or identify preexisting effective training curricula for law enforcement officers and crisis intervention team responders regarding de-escalation, responding to mental health crises or individuals with disabilities, participating on crisis intervention teams, and making referrals to community-based mental health and other services. It would require the curricula to include scenario-based exercises and pre- and post-training knowledge assessments, including to evaluate participants' application of knowledge and skills gained. Among other provisions, the bill would require the department to develop a process to certify training programs that use such curricula and publish a list of law enforcement agencies that employ officers or use mental health professionals who have completed de-escalation training. It would authorize a total of $34 million through fiscal 2026 for program implementation. The bill would also authorize $40 million for fiscal 2025 and $50 million for fiscal 2026 for DOJ grants to states to pay for certified de-escalation training by state or local governments, and it would require grant recipients to ensure that all officers employed for at least two years have received the training." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 264-162, thus the bill was sent to President Biden and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 525, 12/14/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/14/22; Congressional Actions, S. 4003]
The Bill Provided $34 Million Through FY 2026 For The Bill's Implementation, $40 Million For FY 2025 And $50 Million For FY 2026 For DOJ Grants To Cover De-Escalation Training By State And Local Agencies. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would authorize a total of $34 million through fiscal 2026 for program implementation. The bill would also authorize $40 million for fiscal 2025 and $50 million for fiscal 2026 for DOJ grants to states to pay for certified de-escalation training by state or local governments, and it would require grant recipients to ensure that all officers employed for at least two years have received the training." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/14/22]
The Bill Sought To Streamline De-Escalation Training And Use-Of-Force Alternatives To Safely Respond To Instances Of People Experiencing Behavioral Health Or Suicidal Crises. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It also would provide a closed rule for House floor consideration of a bill (S 4003) would require the Justice Department to streamline de-escalation training and alternatives to use force to safely respond to individuals experiencing behavioral health or suicidal crises." [Congressional Quarterly, 12/13/22]
2022: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act Of 2022. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the "adoption of the rule (H Res 1518) that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (S 4003)." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 216-206. [House Vote 521, 12/14/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/14/22; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1518; Congressional Actions, S. 4003]
2022: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act Of 2022. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the "motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 1518) that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act (S 4003)." The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 212-210. [House Vote 520, 12/14/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/14/22; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 1518; Congressional Actions, S. 4003]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against Requiring The Justice Department To Develop Or Identify Pre-Existing Trainings For Law Enforcement And Crisis Responders Regarding De-Escalation, Mental Health Crises And Individuals With Disabilities. In November 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022, which would "require the Justice Department, within 180 days of enactment, to develop or identify preexisting effective training curricula for law enforcement officers and crisis intervention team responders regarding de-escalation, responding to mental health crises or individuals with disabilities, participating on crisis intervention teams, and making referrals to community-based mental health and other services. It would require the curricula to include scenario-based exercises and pre- and post-training knowledge assessments, including to evaluate participants' application of knowledge and skills gained. Among other provisions, the bill would require the department to develop a process to certify training programs that use such curricula and publish a list of law enforcement agencies that employ officers or use mental health professionals who have completed de-escalation training. It would authorize a total of $34 million through fiscal 2026 for program implementation. The bill would also authorize $40 million for fiscal 2025 and $50 million for fiscal 2026 for DOJ grants to states to pay for certified de-escalation training by state or local governments, and it would require grant recipients to ensure that all officers employed for at least two years have received the training." The vote was on passage. The House failed to acquire a 2/3 majority and rejected the bill by a vote of 247-160. The House revisited this bill on House vote 525. [House Vote 486, 11/29/22; Congressional Quarterly, 11/29/22; Congressional Actions, S.4003]
2022: Schweikert Voted To Expand Eligibility For Death And Disability Benefits To Police Officers Who Were Exposed To Traumatic Events In The Line Of Duty, Developed Trauma-Related Mental Disabilities Or Committed Suicide. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022, which would "expand eligibility for death and disability benefits under the Justice Department's Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program to officers who are exposed to traumatic events in the line of duty and develop trauma-related mental disabilities or die by suicide." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 402-17, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 223, 5/18/22; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6943]
The Bill Would Establish A Legal Presumption For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder And Other Trauma And Stress-Related Disorders As A "Line-Of-Duty Personal Injury" If The Disorder Was Derived From The Officer's Duties In A Traumatic Event. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Specifically, it would establish that post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder and other trauma and stress-related disorders are presumed to constitute a line-of-duty personal injury if a substantial factor in the disorder was the officer's exposure while on duty to a traumatic event, defined as a homicide or suicide, violent death, circumstance that poses significant danger to any individual or act of sexual violence against any individual." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/22]
The Bill Would Establish A Legal Presumption Of A Direct Cause Of Death Or Disability In Suicide Instances If A Police Officer's Exposure To A Traumatic Event Was A Key Factor In Their Suicide Attempt. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would also establish a presumption of direct cause of death or disability in the case of a suicide or attempted suicide by an officer if their exposure to a traumatic event was a substantial factor in the action." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/22]
The Bill Would Specify That Existing Restrictions On Compensation In The Case Of Intentional Or Voluntary Intoxication Would Not Apply. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would specify that existing prohibitions on benefit payments in the case of intentional action or voluntary intoxication of an officer would not apply in these cases. It would require the Government Accountability Office, within one year of enactment, to report to Congress on benefits issued under the bill's provisions." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/22]
2021: Schweikert Voted Against Establishing A National Police Misconduct Registry To Report Use Of Force, Racial Profiling, Misconduct Records And Routine Police Practices. In March 2021, Schweikert voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "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 -- with data disaggregated by demographics of officers and civilians involved." 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]
The George Floyd Justice In Policing Act Would Strive To Hold Police Officers Accountable, Collect Data To "Improve Transparency Of Law Enforcement Policing Practices And Overhaul Police Training And Policies." According to Congressional Quarterly, "The policing overhaul measure, introduced after George Floyd was killed by a police officer last May, would hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct, require data collection to improve transparency of law enforcement policing practices and overhaul police training and policies." [Congressional Quarterly, 3/1/21]
The Measure Would Require Data Reporting On Police Encounters And Establish A Nationwide Police Misconduct Registry To Hold Accountable Police Officers Who Were Fired Or Left An Agency. According to Politico, "The measure would also eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement, mandate data collection on police encounters and create a nationwide police misconduct registry to hold accountable problematic officers who are fired or leave an agency." [Politico, 3/3/21]
The Bill Would Have Required The Justice Department To Analyze And Recommend Updates To Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Criteria. According to Congressional Quarterly, "require the Justice Department to analyze and recommend updates to law enforcement agency accreditation standards." [Congressional Quarterly, 3/3/21]
2023: Schweikert Voted To Establish A Program For Federal Law Enforcement Officers, Including Retired Officers, To Purchase Firearms, Except Machine Guns, That Were Issued To Them By An Agency Once The Firearms Were Retired. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "require the General Services Administration, within one year of enactment, to establish a program for federal law enforcement officers, including retired officers, to purchase any firearm, except a machine gun, that was issued to them by an agency when the gun is declared as surplus, provided the officer is in good standing and the purchase is made within six months of the weapon's retirement. As amended, it would require such firearms to be sold at 'salvage value,' or the value at the end of an asset's useful life." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 232 to 198. [House Vote 222, 5/17/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3091]
The Bill Would Allow Federal Law Enforcement Officers To Buy Their Own Retired Service Weapons. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House also passed a bill, 232-198, Wednesday that would allow federal law enforcement officers to purchase their own retired service weapons (HR 3091)." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23]
The Bill Would Only Allow Such Service Weapon Purchases If The Officer Were In Good Standing And If The Purchase Were Made Within Six Months Of A Weapon's Retirement. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of the bill, as amended, that would require the General Services Administration, within one year of enactment, to establish a program for federal law enforcement officers, including retired officers, to purchase any firearm, except a machine gun, that was issued to them by an agency when the gun is declared as surplus, provided the officer is in good standing and the purchase is made within six months of the weapon's retirement." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23]
The Bill Would Require Firearms To Be Sold At "Salvage Value," Which Is The Value At The End Of An Asset's Useful Life. According to Congressional Quarterly, "As amended, it would require such firearms to be sold at 'salvage value,' or the value at the end of an asset's useful life." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23]
2023: Schweikert Voted For An Amendment That Would Permit Officers To Purchase Any Retired Firearms, Except Machine Guns, Instead Of Just Handguns. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for an amendment to the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "allow for officers, under the bill's provisions, to purchase any retired firearms except machine guns, as opposed to only handguns." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 218 to 217. [House Vote 221, 5/17/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3091; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 178]
2023: Schweikert Voted For An Amendment That Would Make Retired Federal Law Enforcement Officers Eligible To Purchase Retired Service Weapons. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for an amendment to the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "make retired federal law enforcement officers eligible to purchase retired service weapons under the bill's provisions." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 232 to 202. [House Vote 220, 5/17/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3091; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 177]
2023: Schweikert Voted For An Amendment That Would Require Handguns That Were Procured Under The Service Weapon Purchases Bill To Be Sold At "Salvage Value" Instead Of At Fair Market Value. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for an amendment to the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "require handguns purchased under the bill to be sold at 'salvage value,' or the value of an asset at the end of its useful life, instead of at 'fair market value.'" The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 248 to 184. [House Vote 219, 5/17/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3091; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 176]
2023: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Required Relevant Federal Agencies To Establish "Good Standing" Standards For Police Officers In Relation To Service Weapon Purchases. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against an amendment to the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would "require each relevant federal agency, within one year and 30 days after enactment, to establish procedures for determining if an officer is 'in good standing' with respect to the bill's provisions." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 216 to 219. [House Vote 218, 5/17/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/17/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3091; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 175]
2023: Schweikert Effectively Voted For The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the "adoption of the rule that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act (HR 3091); and 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.R. 3091]
2023: Schweikert Effectively Voted For The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert 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 Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act (HR 3091); and 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.R. 3091]
2022: Schweikert Voted To Require The Department Of Justice To Develop Crisis Intervention Training Tools For First Responders Interacting With Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury Or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In May 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act, which would "require the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance, in consultation with other agencies, to develop crisis intervention training tools for use by first responders based on best practices for interacting with persons who have a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. It would require the office to make the training available as part of the department's Police-Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit and ensure the training tools are implemented by at least one designated police department. It would authorize $54 million annually through fiscal 2027 for Justice Department police-mental health collaboration grants, including to develop the training. It would also require the Health and Human Services Department, within two years of enactment, to submit a study to Congress on the prevalence of concussions among first responders." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 400-21, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 222, 5/18/22; Congressional Quarterly, 5/18/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2992]