North Shore Louisiana News

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) gathered with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Congressman Clay Higgins (R-La.), Congressman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Congressman Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.), Congressman Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), and law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C. to express their appreciation for the daily sacrifices made by officers and to advocate for robust tough-on-crime legislation during Police Week. Scalise underscored the urgency of passing this critical legislation in light of rising crime rates following Democrats’ calls to defund the police and support of pro-criminal policies.

Scalise began his remarks by acknowledging the sacrifices made by law enforcement and their families: “As we kick off National Police Week, let me first thank all of our men and women in law enforcement across the country who risked their lives to keep our communities safe. We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to the sacrifice they make. And of course this week, we're pausing especially for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have fallen in the line of duty as we had a tribute last night, and we will continue to pay tribute to their families who will always pay that price.”

He then recounted the events of June 14th, 2017 when his life was saved by officers David Bailey and Crystal Griner from United States Capitol Police during a shooting incident on a baseball field: “I want to take you back to June 14th of 2017...The only reason I'm here today, before you alive is because of David Bailey and Crystal Griner with the United States Capitol Police who risked their life for all of us – there were over a dozen members of Congress who have been taken out...They want to go and try to take someone else's life. They want to, in some cases, try to take a law enforcement officer's life. And by the way, both David and Crystal that day were shot while the shooter was trying to kill us. But the shooter wasn't successful because they were there; they answered that call.”

Finally, Scalise discussed the House Republicans' bills this week aimed at supporting law enforcement: “And so we don't hear about it all the time...And so while they're risking their lives, it's important that they know that the community has their back, we surely have their backs...We stand up for our men and women in law enforcement. I hope the vote is huge on that – not just all Republicans, every Democrat should vote for these bills too. To not just in deed, but in vote support our men and women in uniform because they have our back at the most troubling of times. Let's have their back and we will this week.”