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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) released the following statement in response to the House passage of the Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 7120) earlier this evening. Although he remains ready and willing to discuss potential police reform, Congressman Babin deeply opposes this particular legislation.

“House Democrats continue to prove to the nation their unwillingness to work together by passing a radical bill that received zero input from Republicans,” said Babin. “In a divided Congress, compromise is key to getting anything accomplished, but the Democrats’ refusal to even have a conversation on any bill that’s not their own clearly shows they aren’t interested in bettering our country. If they cannot pass their partisan, socialist bills then they’d rather nothing get done. Their only focus is on messaging – which is exactly what this bill was. 

“H.R. 7120 does not make communities safer, it does the opposite. It takes away necessary support and funding from law enforcement, is designed to keep police officers in their vehicles, and completely disregards the dangerous and irresponsible decision by some local officials to defund, dismantle, or disband police departments. All the while, creating a bigger wedge of distrust between the police and the public. It is for these reasons and more that I oppose this legislation. 

“It seems as long as Democrats hit their messaging points real solutions don’t matter, and if the American people suffer as a consequence, that’s okay.”