CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN AND ULSTER COUNTY SHERIFF JUAN FIGUEROA SLAM HOUSE REPUBLICANS FOR CUTTING NEARLY $6 MILLION FOR HUDSON VALLEY LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUSH FOR PASSAGE OF RYAN’S “INVEST TO PROTECT ACT” TO SUPPORT HUDSON VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Congressman Pat Ryan and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa Slam House Republicans for Cutting Nearly $6 Million for Hudson Valley Law Enforcement, Push for Passage of Ryan’s “Invest to Protect Act” to Support Hudson Valley Police Departments

Last week Congressman Ryan introduced his legislation, the “Invest to Protect Act,” to fund local police departments and provide training and retention support for new and existing officers

In March, House Republicans passed a “continuing resolution” which cut more than $1.8M in funding for Ulster County law enforcement alone; across Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties, cuts to law enforcement totaled nearly $6M 

KINGSTON, NY  –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa slammed House Republicans for cutting nearly $6 million for Hudson Valley law enforcement. In March, House Republicans passed a “continuing resolution” which cut more than $1.8 million in funding for Ulster County law enforcement alone. Across Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties, cuts to law enforcement totaled nearly $6 million. In light of these cuts, they upped the urgency on the need to pass  Ryan’s “Invest to Protect Act,” legislation to fund local police departments and provide training and retention support for new and existing officers. 

“Working hand-in-hand with Sheriffs Figueroa, Imperati, and Arteta, I pushed relentlessly for landmark investments to bolster public safety across the Hudson Valley. Frankly, I was shocked when Trump and Johnson took every single dollar for our Sheriffs out of their budget – I truly didn’t think they’d cut crucial public safety efforts. I proudly voted against these cuts, but unfortunately, President Trump signed it into law,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “That’s why it’s more important than ever that we pass my ‘Invest to Protect Act,” critical bipartisan legislation that would support smaller police departments like those in the Hudson Valley that are too often left behind. I refuse to let the chaos, divisiveness and cruelty of Trump get in the way of delivering – I’ll keep working every single day to make our community more safe for your kids and mine.”

“This Federal funding is more important now than ever, I ask all members of Congress to support Congressman Pat Ryan with the Invest to Protect Act, which represents a crucial investment in the future of small and midsize rural law enforcement agencies like ours,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa. “By supporting recruitment, retention, officer wellness, and specialized training, this legislation gives us the tools to serve our communities more effectively and with greater compassion. Public safety begins with well-trained, supported officers, and this bipartisan effort ensures that departments like ours can continue to evolve, meet the moment, and protect the people we’re sworn to serve.”

“Protecting public safety should always be a priority, not a political bargaining chip,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “In Ulster County alone, House Republicans stripped over $1.8 million in critical funding for public safety — resources that were meant to support our officers and strengthen emergency infrastructure. We thank Congressman Ryan for his leadership in introducing the 'Invest to Protect Act,' a vital step forward to ensure our police departments have the tools, training, and support they need to help keep our neighborhoods safe. We stand united in pushing for this legislation to restore these essential investments and help protect the safety of our residents.”

“Keeping our Hudson Valley communities safe starts with making sure our police officers are well-supported and have what they need to do the job—whether that’s through technology upgrades, bringing on new recruits, retaining experienced officers, or expanding specialized training to meet local needs,” said State Senator Michelle Hinchey. “Investing in the people we count on to protect us should never be up for debate, and despite ongoing federal setbacks, I’m glad to have a partner in Congressman Ryan working with us to champion funding for our local departments.”

“As Chair of the Ulster County Legislature, I commend Congressman Ryan for championing the Invest to Protect Act, which will bring much-needed resources to the small and midsize police departments that serve our communities,” said Ulster County Legislature Chair Peter Criswell. “These targeted investments in training, recruitment, and retention will strengthen public safety while supporting the dedicated officers who put themselves on the line every day. Congressman Ryan has also been a strong partner in advocating for Ulster police in Washington, to ensure our departments have the modern tools they need to serve with excellence. This is a smart, bipartisan effort that reflects the values of accountability, service, and community trust that we strive to uphold in Ulster County.”

Congressman Ryan secured nearly six million dollars in federal funding for public safety projects to support law enforcement across the Hudson Valley. In Ulster County alone, he worked with Sheriff Figueroa and local partners to secure $794,000 in funds to update policing equipment and technology, as well as more than a million dollars to bolster public safety infrastructure county-wide through improvements to the Emergency Operations Center. Other key projects slashed by the Republican resolution include nearly $1.2 million for the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office to develop a Real-Time Crime center, more than a million dollars for improvements to the Orange County Emergency Operations Center, as well as nearly $800,000 for updated body cameras for officers at Orange County jails. 

The bipartisan, bicameral “Invest to Protect Act” will invest in small and midsize departments with fewer than 175 sworn officers, providing funds for the recruitment, retention, support, and training they need. It will also give departments the flexibility to utilize resources to meet the needs of their particular communities and to make meaningful investments in their officers. It is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Troopers Coalition, the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association, the New Jersey State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association.

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