Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) issued the following statement on several bills the House considered this week related to our nation's police. This is a summary and statement from Houlahan on her votes on these bills: 

“POLICE Act of 2023— H.R. 2494. I voted YES. I do not believe that anyone who assaults a police officer and is not a citizen should have the privilege of remaining in the country. 

Expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies— H. Con. Res. 40. I voted YES. I reject the deliberately provocative and divisive preamble at the start of the bill but agree that Congress should not defund or disband the police. I do, however, also believe that there is much work to be done in the area of social justice and equity in this nation, which is why I have also been supportive of past legislation, such as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act that I voted YES for in the 116^th and 117^th Congress. 

Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act— H.R. 3091. I arrived in Washington intending to vote yes. I believe former police officers who are in good standing should be allowed to buy their service handguns. This was, in fact, the original language of the bill. Unfortunately, the bill was changed mid-week to include assault weapons and other military-grade weapons. I put forward an amendment of my own to prevent semi-automatic weapons from being included in this proposal. Unfortunately, the Rules Committee did not agree to move it forward. Therefore, I voted NO. I do not believe that we need further pathways for these weapons to be purchased by anyone. I could not in good conscience vote for H.R. 3091 with this additional amendment. 

Separately, I introduced and advocated for an amendment that the revenue generated from these purchases be used for gun buy-back programs. It would have made this bill better, but my amendment was denied a vote by the majority-led Rules Committee. 

I encourage people to read the text of these bills which I have provided links for here.

I try with each vote to weigh the positives and negatives and try to do my best to make good decisions based on what I believe to be in the best interest of our community, Commonwealth and country. I am certain that some people will not always agree with every decision that I make, or vote that I take, but I feel it’s important to be transparent with these decisions, and with my thought process. 

As always, I thank you for the privilege of serving you every day both in Washington and in our community."

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress.

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