Pelosi Dear Colleague on Democrats' Commitment to Public Safety

October 26, 2022
Press Release

Dear Democratic Colleague,

On Saturday, I wrote to you to highlight Democrats' work to lower the cost of living for America's working families — and Republicans' negligence in addressing their kitchen table concerns. Today, I write to convey the importance of emphasizing Democrats' unyielding commitment to public safety — which is at the heart of our People Over Politics Agenda.

As Democrats, we believe that every American deserves to live in a safe community, which is a necessary foundation upon which America's families can thrive. We have emphasized respect for those who serve and for those whom they serve: with accountability and transparency. That is why our House Majority has taken strong action to honor our men and women in blue with the resources they need to prevent crime, while building stronger, healthier relationships between law enforcement and those they serve:

  • Enacting the American Rescue Plan to fund our police and ensure that local law enforcement agencies could continue keeping our communities safe amid the pandemic — without a single Republican vote.
  • Enacting March's omnibus government funding package to secure a half-billion-dollar increase for local and state law enforcement, while also investing in smart community-based violence intervention programs.
  • Passing the Invest to Protect Act to advance strong measures proven to improve public safety: helping small, local and rural law enforcement agencies retain and recruit officers, while ensuring strong guardrails and accountability measures.

As we highlight our commitment to combating crime, we must also share with the American people Democrats' historic achievements to reduce gun violence and mandate universal background checks on all gun purchases — an essential piece of public safety. Our Democratic House Majority has boldly acted to take on the gun lobby, to keep our children safe and to support our law enforcement heroes:

  • Enacting the landmark Safer Communities Act, a monumental step forward in getting deadly weapons out of dangerous hands, while investing in critical mental health resources.
  • Passing the Assault Weapons Ban, a common-sense measure proven to save lives while in effect two decades ago.
  • Passing the Protecting Our Kids Act to require safe storage and outlaw high-capacity magazines.
  • Passing the Active Shooter Alert Act to create an AMBER Alert-style warning during mass shootings.

Thanks to the courage, resolve and unity of our Members, the Democratic House has honored our sacred oath to the American people: to "protect and defend." We must share with the American people our inspiring message of People Over Politics: lower costs, better paying jobs and safer communities for all.

Thank you for your leadership.

NANCY