Foxx Opening Remarks on Police Week

As prepared for delivery:

Good afternoon, the Committee will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time.
 
Before we begin… Mr. McGovern, I speak for everyone here on the Rules Committee when I say that you and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers.
 
I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak that you and your family are experiencing with the loss of your daughter Molly.
 
The loss of a child, no matter the age, is one of the greatest heartbreaks imaginable. As has been said by many, including me, Molly was a very radiant light within your family, and she left an indelible mark upon the hearts of everyone who she met.
 
It is good to see you here beside us on the dais once more, and again, you and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers. 
 
Today, the Rules Committee is convening to consider three pieces of legislation: H.R. 2240, H.R. 2243, and H.R. 2255.
 
H.R. 2240, the bipartisan Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, requires the Attorney General to develop reports relating to violent attacks against law enforcement officers and submit them to Congress.
 
Some of the components of these reports include the number of attacks intentionally targeting police officers, a description of the federal response on attacks against law enforcement officers, and recommendations for improving responses to attacks.
 
Further, this legislation requires the Attorney General to submit to Congress a report that:

• Assesses the ability to implement a new category of reporting in the Uniform Crime Reporting System and the National Incident-Based Reporting System,
• Provides details on how to engage state and local law enforcement agencies in reporting the data, as well as disparities,
• And offers additional legislative tools or authorities helpful in deterring aggressive actions.

H.R. 2243, the bipartisan LEOSA Reform Act of 2024, amends title 18, United States Code, to improve the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act and provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers.

This legislation provides necessary exemptions, clarifications, and certifications that would allow current and retired law enforcement officers certified under LEOSA to carry a concealed firearm on public transportation and within national parks, gun-free school zones, as well as certain federal facilities.

By clarifying the rights of qualified, current law enforcement officers – as well as retired officers – this legislation will augment existing public safety postures in critical locations across our nation.

To quote former Senator Barbara Boxer, “Law enforcement officers are never ‘off duty.’ They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place where peace is threatened. They need all the help that they can get.”

Finally, H.R. 2255, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2025, directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish a program to allow current and retired Federal law enforcement officers to purchase a retired firearm from the agency that issued the firearm to that officer.

Current law requires federal agencies to destroy retired firearms – a process that remains costly, and that cost is ultimately borne by hardworking taxpayers across the nation.

By recovering these costs and allowing current and retired Federal law enforcement officers – who remain in good standing – to purchase these firearms, this legislation achieves pertinent aims that benefit law enforcement and hardworking taxpayers.

This week is National Police Week, and it’s a perfect opportunity to advance these pieces of legislation that affirm our commitment to supporting the men and women of law enforcement. I invite our Democrat colleagues to join us in doing so. 

And before I yield to the Ranking Member, there’s one final piece of business to attend to: I want to wish Mr. Neguse a happy birthday. There’s no greater birthday gift than to spend your afternoon right here alongside all of us in the Rules Committee. 

With that, I look forward to today’s discussion, and I now yield to Mr. McGovern for any comments he wishes to make. 

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