Malliotakis Introduces Right to Remain Safe Act of 2021

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) yesterday introduced H.R.1465, the Right to Remain Safe Act of 2021, legislation that seeks to deter local governments from defunding police departments and holds them responsible should someone become a victim to a crime due to the government's negligence. Malliotakis' bill comes the same week House Democrats introduced H.R.1280, The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, that would prohibit vital equipment from being transferred to law enforcement agencies and impose multiple unfunded mandates that the Congressional Budget Office says will drain the resources of state and local law enforcement to the tune of "several hundred million dollars," the equivalent of 3,000 cops or more taken off the street.

"Unfortunately, New York City has caved to the pressures of socialist politicians and community anarchists by choosing to cut police funding by one-sixth," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. "Last year, 264 police officers were killed in the line of duty, a 96% increase from 2019, obviously resulting from anti-police rhetoric. Shootings in New York City alone increased by 97% over the same period, and murders increased by 44%. As politicians strip critical resources and tools from our men and women in blue, our officers become less safe while crime and homelessness on our streets skyrocket, causing a decreased quality of life and a mass exodus of people from our state. If the city and state are to stop the population loss, the mayor and governor must focus on improving public safety."

Malliotakis added: "My bill aims to place pressure on mayors across the United States to fully fund their law enforcement agencies and give residents recourse should they or their property be harmed as a result of the government's negligence."

Last night, Malliotakis pushed to return the Democrats' bill to the Judiciary Committee to have language added that makes clear the House of Representatives "condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police." The motion was rejected by the House 208 to 219, with Malliotakis stating: "The least Congress can do is take a strong stand against local governments that have taken these actions and put their citizens and officers at risk."

An alternative to the Democrats' radical George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Malliotakis has cosponsored The JUSTICE Act, legislation that offers real solutions to increase transparency, accountability and performance so our nation's law enforcement officers can better protect the communities they serve, and the Qualified Immunity Act, legislation that draws on over 50 years of Supreme Court rulings under multiple Justices and administrations in favor of qualified immunity and the protections it provides for law enforcement agents.

You can view Malliotakis' Right to Remain Safe Act HERE.