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H.Res. 1115 (117th): COPS Resolution

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The text of the resolution below is as of May 13, 2022 (Introduced). The resolution was not adopted.

Summary of this resolution

It might be the best way to view law enforcement doing their thing, ever since Fox canceled the long-running reality show Cops in 2020.

Context

Crime and homicide rates rose in both 2020 and 2021, although the rates still remain near record-lows in a historical context. Republicans often accuse Democrats of being “soft on crime” with their policies, or failing to appreciate the bravery and heroism of law enforcement, with the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party calling to “Defund the police.”

Now, one House Republican has an idea which he hopes will get his colleagues to more viscerally appreciate his perspective on the issue.

What …

IV

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. RES. 1115

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 13, 2022

(for himself, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Meuser, Mr. McKinley, and Mr. Newhouse) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

RESOLUTION

Requiring each Member of the House of Representatives to serve one shift in a passenger seat of a law enforcement vehicle observing the work day of a local law enforcement officer once each session of the Congress, and for other purposes.

Whereas the House of Representatives stands in solidarity with law enforcement officers at the Federal, State, and local levels;

Whereas in 2021, 346 law enforcement officers were shot in the line of duty and of such officers 63 died;

Whereas in 2021, there were 103 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers, which was a 115 percent increase from 2020;

Whereas in 2021—

(1)

12 major cities of the United States had the highest number of annual homicides in the history of each such city;

(2)

Chicago had the highest number of homicides in the city in the past 25 years;

(3)

Los Angeles had the highest number of homicides in the city in the past 15 years; and

(4)

New York City had the highest number of homicides in the city in the past 10 years;

Whereas from 2020 to 2021, there was a—

(1)

14 percent increase in the number of homicides committed in the District of Columbia; and

(2)

13 percent increase in the number of homicides committed in Philadelphia;

Whereas Members of Congress called for defunding law enforcement departments;

Whereas, District Attorneys in a number of the largest cities in the United States refuse to prosecute violent crimes; and

Whereas law enforcement departments across the United States are struggling to hire and retain law enforcement officers: Now, therefore, be it

1.

Short title

This resolution may be cited as the Congress Observing Police Service Resolution or the COPS Resolution.

2.

Requirement for Members of the House of Representatives to participate in one ride-along each session of Congress

(a)

In general

Each sitting Member of the House of Representatives shall participate in one ride-along each session of the Congress.

(b)

Regulations

The Committee on House Administration shall promulgate regulations to carry out this Resolution, including regulations—

(1)

waiving the application of subsection (a) for any Member who is physically incapable of participating in a ride-along; and

(2)

requiring such Committee to maintain a readily available, public list that identifies whether a Member completed such ride-along for each session of the Congress.

(c)

Violation

If the Committee on Ethics determines that a Member has not satisfied the requirement under subsection (a) for the previous session of the Congress and such requirement has not been waived pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (b), the Committee shall fine such Member $200.

(d)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Ride-Along

The term ride-along means an arrangement for a Member of the House of Representatives to serve one shift in a passenger seat of a law enforcement vehicle observing the work day of a local law enforcement officer in the respective congressional district of such Member.

(2)

Member of the House of Representatives

The term Member of the House of Representatives includes a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress.