WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — In honor of National Police Week, House Republicans have put forth an array of resolutions calling for legislation to protect the nation’s law enforcement officers.
On Tuesday, lawmakers will meet on Capitol Hill to discuss the three resolutions and put them to a vote.
So far this year, 21 police officers have been shot and killed in the line of duty, including 23-year-old Euclid Police Department Police Officer Jacob Derbin who was killed Saturday after he was ambushed by a suspect while responding to a disturbance call.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will be hosting events this week to remember officers killed in the line of duty.
“Every day, police officers pin on their shields and walk out the door, rushing into harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe. Being a police officer is more than what they do — it is who they are,” President Joe Biden wrote in a statement. “On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we recognize the incredible courage of our Nation’s police officers and honor the fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifice we can never repay.”
-
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (L) and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (R) look at photographs, flowers, and mementos left for fallen officers as they visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: A single rose is left in front of photographs of police officers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (2nd-R), Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer (C), and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (3rd-L) visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (L) stops to look at photographs, flowers, and mementos left for fallen officers as he visits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: (R-L)U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland visits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland (C) and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco (L) visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland consoles Alicia Marconi, a deputy sheriff from Oneida County, New York, who becomes emotional while mourning her friend and coworker Kurt B. Wyman at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. Wyman was a deputy sheriff who was killed in the line of duty on Jun 7, 2011. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – MAY 13: The family of Off. Peter Jerving, of the Milwaukee Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on February 7, 2023, mourn during an event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor officers who lost their lives in 2023, on Monday, May 13, 2024. The event was part of the annual Police Week gathering. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – MAY 13: Chief Spike Jones of the Kenton County, Ky., Police Department, attends an event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor officers who lost their lives in 2023, on Monday, May 13, 2024. The event was part of the annual Police Week gathering. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – MAY 13: Hudson, 2, the son of Patrolman Joseph Lee Barlow, of the McAlester (Okla.) Police Department, who was killed on Monday, March 20, 2023, attends an event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor officers who lost their lives in 2023, on Monday, May 13, 2024. The event was part of the annual Police Week gathering. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – MAY 13: Kimberly Redd, the wife of Off. Geoffrey Redd of the Memphis Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on February 18, 2023, mourns during an event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor officers who lost their lives in 2023, on Monday, May 13, 2024. The event was part of the annual Police Week gathering. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – MAY 13: An officer comforts Eddie Campbell, the mother of Off. Geoffrey Redd of the Memphis Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on February 18, 2023, during an event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor officers who lost their lives in 2023, on Monday, May 13, 2024. The event is part of the annual Police Week gathering. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – MAY 13: A classic New York City Police Department patrol car is seen near an event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor officers who lost their lives in 2023, on Monday, May 13, 2024. The event is part of the annual Police Week gathering. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland visits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: Alicia Marconi, a deputy sheriff from Oneida County, New York, becomes emotional while mourning her friend and coworker Kurt B. Wyman at the start of Police Week at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. Wyman was a deputy sheriff who was killed in the line of duty on Jun 7, 2011. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland looks at photographs, flowers, and mementos left for fallen officers as he visits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 13: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland visits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to commemorate the start of Police Week on May 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. May 15th was proclaimed as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week by President John F. Kennedy decades ago, but what started with a small group in the early 1980s has grown to thousands gathering annually in Washington, DC to reflect, honor and support police officers. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – MAY 13: The family of Off. Peter Jerving, of the Milwaukee Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on February 7, 2023, mourn during an event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to honor officers who lost their lives in 2023, on Monday, May 13, 2024. The event was part of the annual Police Week gathering. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Condemn calls to defund police
The first resolution being put forward would condemn calls to defund the police, which surged in use during the George Floyd protests in 2020.
Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers spurred nationwide protests against police brutality and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement. It also led to a historic exodus of law enforcement officers nationwide.
As more and more officers left, many of the departments had to redeploy stretched resources by shifting officers away from investigative work or quality of life issues such as abandoned vehicles or noise violations to handle increases in crime and, in some cases, the shortages meant slower response times or limiting responses to emergencies only, police officials say.
Deadly shootings, home invasions, carjackings, illegal sideshows, businesses robbed at gunpoint and gun violence are just some of the violent crimes the country has been grappling with over the past many years. The increased crime is also an issue that will likely send voters to the polls in November.
Since the increase in violent crimes, many Democrats have come under fire for supporting policies that diverted funds from police departments. Now, many politicians — including Democrats — have called for refunding the police, saying funding is a vital component of protecting communities.
Require ICE detainment for migrants arrested for assaulting officers
Another proposal expected to be voted on this week would require migrants in the U.S. illegally who are arrested for assaulting law enforcement officers to be detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for possible deportation.
Earlier this year, multiple immigrants were detained in connection to an attack on New York City police officers in Times Square. The case caused a firestorm of controversy when many of the suspects were arrested and then released without bail.
The outrage then led to the men being taken into custody again and sent to Riker’s Island to await trial. The suspects are facing a number of charges including assault on a police officer. They’ve all pleaded not guilty.
But that wasn’t the only incident so far this year that has sparked concern.
Agents working at the southern border have become fearful that migrants attempting to enter the country illegally are becoming increasingly aggressive toward law enforcement. Agents fear this aggressive behavior will continue to escalate at the border.
AG report on border crisis impact on police
The third resolution includes calls for Attorney General Merrick Garland to issue an official report on the impact of the border crisis on law enforcement agencies.
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., introduced a new bill late last month called the “Police Our Border Act of 2024.” If passed, it would require Garland to submit a report to Congress detailing th effects the migrant surge at the border has had on agents. The bill will be brought forth this week to highlight the importance of keeping the nation’s law enforcement officers safe.
“Thanks to the open border policies of President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas, law enforcement agencies across the country are being overwhelmed by the millions of migrants and large quantities of dangerous narcotics like fentanyl flowing into the United States,” D’Esposito, a retired detective with the New York Police Department, said.
National Police Week candlelight vigil
This all comes after the annual National Police Week candlelight vigil along the National Mall, which honored law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2023.
High-ranking leaders and fellow officers also read their names.
“It’s bittersweet. It’s nice to see everybody come together, but it’s sad why we’re all here. For various husbands, children, brothers, sisters,” said Lynn Harris, whose son was killed in the line of duty. “Deputy Brett Harris was more than just a deputy. He was my son, and I loved him, and I’ll miss him forever.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson is scheduled to hold a vigil Tuesday evening on the steps of the Capitol to honor those same officers killed in the line of duty.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
