CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN CHAMPIONS LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT HUDSON VALLEY LAW ENFORCEMENT

Congressman Pat Ryan Champions Legislation to Support and Protect Hudson Valley Law Enforcement Officers

During last week’s National Police Week, Ryan voted for a series of bills that would bolster support and resources for local enforcement officers and crackdown on violence against officers 

Ryan also honored newly-named Newburgh Police Chief Brandon Rola and celebrated the retirement of Poughkeepsie Police Captain Steven Minard with speeches on House floor

WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan honored the end of National Police Week by championing legislation to support and protect local law enforcement officers. That includes 5 bills Ryan helped pass last week, including bipartisan legislation to crack down on crimes against law enforcement officers and study the impact of the southern border crisis on law enforcement personnel. Earlier in the week, Ryan honored newly-named Newburgh Police Chief Brandon Rola and celebrated the retirement of Poughkeepsie Police Captain Steven Minard with speeches on House floor

“During Police Week and every week, I’m pushing to deliver for the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Whether honoring local law enforcement officers like Chief Rola and Captain Minard for going above and beyond the call of duty, or passing bipartisan legislation to combat violence against law enforcement officers, I’ll keep fighting for the support our officers need and deserve to keep our families safe.”

During National Police Week, Ryan voted in favor of legislation supporting local law enforcement, including the:

• Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act to require reports to Congress on attacks on law enforcement officers, in particular, offenders that intentionally target law enforcement because they are officers of the law, and the federal, state and local responses to police "ambushes" and violent attacks on officers and on mental health resources available to law enforcement officers.
• D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (CRIMES) Act that includes provisions to strengthen collection of juvenile crime statistics in the District of Columbia and to lower the definition of a "youth" for sentencing purposes from 24 years old and younger to 18 and younger.
• Police Our Border Act which requires a report on how the crisis on the southern border impacts the physical and mental health of law enforcement officers, including their exposure to illicit fentanyl.
• H.Res.1213 - A resolution condemning violence against law enforcement officers.
• H.Con.Res.106 - Expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund local law enforcement agencies.

During National Police Week, Congressman Ryan recognized local law enforcement leaders with speeches on the House floor – commending newly-named Newburgh Police Chief Brandon Rola on his promotion and congratulating Poughkeepsie Police Captain Steven Minard on his retirement. Members of Ryan’s office also attended the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Memorial Service on Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.

Ryan is a firm supporter of local law enforcement and first responders. He has delivered landmark federal funding to local departments, including $400,000 for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office crisis intervention team ORACLE to help combat the opioid crisis, $375,000 for the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department to start a new Community Policing Unit and hire three new officers, and $300,000 for the Middletown Police Department to bolster its technology investments. 

Only weeks after taking office in 2022, Ryan voted for the Invest to Protect Act and joined with local law enforcement leaders to announce over $2.6 million in federal funding was secured for local law enforcement departments and public safety initiatives through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

Congressman Ryan introduced the Public Safety and Community Support Act to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds for deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs to help local law enforcement combat drug addiction. Congressman Ryan cosponsors extensive legislation supporting local law enforcement, including the Invest to Protect Act of 2023,  Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act,  Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act of 2023, Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act, 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023, National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act, and Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023.

Congressman Ryan has long advocated for increased funding for law enforcement and first responders, including making repeated calls for increased funding to combat fentanyl trafficking and introducing an amendment to the House’s Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to increase the funding for the COPS grant programs by $5 million. The additional funding would help allow the COPS Office to increase its grant programs that support local law enforcement and community safety initiatives across the country.

###