Gluesenkamp Perez Joins Local Law Enforcement to Honor National Police Week
Last week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) honored National Police Week by welcoming local law enforcement officers to Washington, D.C. and helping pass bipartisan legislation to support public safety officers across Southwest Washington.
“I’ve made it a priority to go on ride alongs and hold roundtables with local law enforcement to see firsthand the challenges of their jobs and hear how I can best support them. They are on the front lines responding to our worsening fentanyl and mental health crises – yet their work is too often underappreciated and even vilified by some,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “In Congress, I’ve been fighting for bipartisan legislation to get them the resources they need – whether it’s childcare, mental health care, a loan to buy a first home, tools to combat fentanyl, or assistance with recruitment and retention. This National Police Week, I was grateful to welcome some dedicated, patriotic public safety officers from Southwest Washington to recognize their bravery and hear how I can continue supporting their work to keep our communities safe.”
Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez kicked off the week by speaking on the House floor in honor of local law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team.
The Congresswoman visited the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Tribute and spoke with Vancouver PD officer Jeff Anaya and former Kennewick PD detective Marco Monteblanco, President and Executive Director of the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police, respectively.
Afterward, she delivered remarks at the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) Annual Legislative Luncheon, with law enforcement labor leaders from across the country. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez scored 100 percent on NAPO’s most recent legislative scorecard for her efforts supporting local first responders.
Lastly, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez joined officers from Clark County and Vancouver for an evening tour of the U.S. Capitol, as well as to hear what is on their minds and how she can best support their work.
During National Police Week, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez joined the House to pass:
- A bipartisan resolution she cosponsored expressing support for local law enforcement officers.
- The bipartisan Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act she cosponsored, which will strengthen data collection about targeted attacks on law enforcement officers and what mental health resources exist for officers.
- The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which will allow federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase their retired firearms, generating revenue and supporting their Second Amendment rights.
Last month, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez helped introduce the Fight Fentanyl Act and led a Blue Dog Coalition effort urging Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the HALT Fentanyl Act to the House floor for a vote. The Congresswoman cosponsored the FEND Off Fentanyl and END FENTANYL Acts in the House, which are now law, to target fentanyl traffickers and fight fentanyl smuggling at ports of entry.