[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 165 (Wednesday, September 23, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Protect and Serve Act

  Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, across the country, Americans watched in 
horror as news stations reported the shooting of two sheriff's deputies 
in Los Angeles, who were brutally targeted by a murderous, violent 
criminal.
  In North Carolina, just 2 days earlier, sheriff's deputy Ryan 
Hendrix, a father of two young children, a man planning to get married, 
was murdered in cold blood while responding to a family under siege by 
an evil criminal.
  So far in 2020 alone, 37 law enforcement officers have been murdered 
by violent criminals and hundreds have been wounded while protecting 
our communities.
  Despite these senseless deaths and the gruesome violence against 
police, there are those who support radical ideas like defunding or 
abolishing the police. These dangerous policies would allow criminals 
to roam free throughout our communities, unchallenged and unafraid.
  The agitators pushing to abolish the police have sown the seeds of 
discord in our country by disrespecting law enforcement and 
disregarding their brave service to our Nation. Just look at Asheville, 
NC. Since June 1, over 30 police officers have left the law enforcement 
profession. These brave men and women are tired of being attacked 
physically, emotionally, and personally, simply for trying to keep 
their communities safe, every single damn day.
  They put on a uniform to go protect their community, not sure if they 
are going to come back safe, and they do it anyway, and we owe them a 
debt of gratitude. But they are sick of the opportunistic politicians 
like the Democratic leader and AOC attacking them for just doing their 
jobs.
  Worst of all is the specter of targeted attacks like those against 
the deputies in Los Angeles. The harmful rhetoric being used by the 
radical, anti-police leftists encourages an environment of hostility, 
which emboldens criminals and murderers. The result is brazen attacks 
against law enforcement officers in broad daylight.
  In light of the toxic environment being created in this country, 
which devalues police, I believe the Senate must act to protect law 
enforcement officers and show them our support. That is why I have 
introduced the Protect and Serve Act with 16 of my Republican 
colleagues.
  The Protect and Serve Act would punish criminals who target law 
enforcement officers and harm them. These criminals will receive up to 
10 years in prison, and if they murder or kidnap a law enforcement 
officer, they will get a life sentence.
  It is sad that Congress even needs to consider a bill to protect 
police officers, but let me be clear: Attacks against any law 
enforcement officers are no laughing matter. Congress must pass the 
Protect and Serve Act immediately and boldly say there is no escape 
from justice for dangerous criminals who intentionally assault or kill 
a law enforcement officer.
  Today, I call on every single Democrat to support this commonsense 
legislation. The question is simple: Do you support the men and women 
in blue who fight every day to keep our communities safe or do you 
support lawless, reckless, liberal mobs who want to defund the police?
  It is a yes-or-no question. You either back the blue or you back 
anarchy.
  As long as I am a U.S. Senator I will do everything I can to protect 
our men and women who protect our communities every single day. I 
expect and they deserve no less.
  I hope my Democratic colleagues can stand up to AOC, the Squad, and 
their radical liberal base and do the same. It is time to back the 
blue. It is time to restore safety in our communities. It is time to 
end the killing of law enforcement officers and people just trying to 
protect us every single day.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. TILLIS. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Loeffler). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BLUNT. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.