The two members of the "Squad" released a joint statement on Tuesday, stating that their top priority is "health and safety." Still, the resolution was designed to "advance Republicans' false narrative around supporting law enforcement."
In their statement, the congresswomen emphasized that the resolution was not a referendum on support for the safety of first responders. Instead, it was a document intended to "gaslight the public about where [Republicans] stand."
They also argued that the GOP's "false narrative" was evident in their reactions to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The two representatives claimed that "Republicans are the Party of Insurrection," and that it was Republican politicians who enabled the events of that day by peddling lies about the election.
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The statement continued, "Far from supporting law enforcement, Republicans are using their majority to actively target agencies that try to uphold the law and hold them and their cult leader Donald Trump accountable for their criminal behavior." Bush and Tlaib then argued that Republicans should support legislation that invests in communities, prevents violence, and moves the country closer to genuine public safety for all.
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The congresswomen concluded their statement by saying that if Republicans cared about public safety, including the security of law enforcement officers, they would not be enabling insurrection, passing hypocritical messaging bills, and holding the economy hostage. Instead, they would be taking up legislation like the People's Response Act and other proposals put forward by their Democratic colleagues.
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The two Squad members were the only representatives who voted against the resolution, with 215 Republicans and 198 Democrats voting for it. The remaining 20 representatives did not vote on the resolution. The resolution recognized "law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities," and expressed "condolences and appreciation" to the families of fallen police officers, among other things.
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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) expressed his support for police officers during a press conference after the resolution passed. "Today, as National Police Week begins, we continue to show our full support for our police officers by saying thank you to everyone who wears the badge. Our nation is blessed to have the bravest, most professional, most capable police officers in the world," he said.