[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 116 (Thursday, July 23, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H5408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WE MUST ADDRESS SANCTUARY CITIES

  (Mr. JOLLY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, the House will soon consider legislation to 
address sanctuary cities, local policies that skirt Federal policies 
regarding the detention of undocumented individuals who have broken the 
law, a policy that led recently to a terrible tragedy. We should 
address this. It is right we do so.
  But I rise out of concern for the enforcement mechanism in the 
current draft of the legislation. The current draft would penalize 
sanctuary cities by reducing assistance to law enforcement, the very 
men and women we rely on each day to keep us safe.
  Consider the irony. To promote greater public safety in law 
enforcement, we are threatening to reduce assistance to law 
enforcement, when it is commissions and councils that actually adopt 
policies regarding sanctuary cities. This is simply wrong.
  We can do better. I anticipate voting for passage because we need to 
address this issue nationally, but I ask my colleagues today to work 
together. Let's replace this shortsighted provision that wrongfully 
punishes those who serve us each day on the front lines of law 
enforcement, men and women that, months ago, we lauded on this House 
floor during Police Week for the fine work they do.
  Let's not reduce resources for law enforcement. Let's ensure that we 
are able to increase and continue to invest in local law enforcement.

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