Congresswoman Terri Sewell voted in favor of four major public safety bills on Thursday. The Democratic bill’s sponsors hope they will deliver new federal resources to break the cycle of violence and build safer communities. This package of four bills passed the House of Representatives on Thursday.
“Making our communities safer for our children and families has always been a top priority of mine in Congress, and that’s exactly what this legislation would do,” said Rep. Sewell. “Together, these bills would ensure that our local community organizations, local law enforcement, and especially rural police departments have the tools they need to keep Alabamians safe. With House passage of these bills, we’re one step closer to delivering deeply needed investments to prevent crime, boost community violence prevention, strengthen police accountability, and save lives.”
The Invest to Protect Act was sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) and passed with a 360 to 64 vote. Nine Democrats and 55 Republicans voted against the bill. The legislation would allocate federal grants to small law enforcement agencies that encompass fewer than 125 officers.
The Break the Cycle of Violence Act was sponsored by Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nevada). It passed 220 to 207. Only one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), voted in favor. The legislation awards grants for coordinated community violence initiatives in areas that see a disproportionate amount of homicides and other forms of violence. The grants, from the Department of Health and Human Services, would be used to curb violent behavior.
The Mental Health Justice Act was sponsored by Rep. Katie Porter (D-California). It awards funds to train and assign mental health professionals to respond to situations involving individuals with special behavioral needs, rather than sending law enforcement personnel. The measure passed 223 to 206, with three Republicans voting in favor.
The VICTIM Act was sponsored by Rep. Val Demings (D-Florida). It creates a grant program that would give law enforcement agencies new funding to hire and train detectives to investigate homicides, sexual assaults, and other violent crimes. It also ensures that victim services are funded, staffed, and trained to address the needs of survivors and family members and provides federal funding to acquire and upgrade investigative technology to better process evidence. The bill passed in a 250 to 178 vote, with 30 Republicans joining all Democrats present in supporting the legislation.
Sewell said that this legislation builds on President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats’ ongoing work to build safer communities in Alabama and across the country.
Sewell is in her sixth term representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
