Press Release:
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) this week voted for four pieces of legislation focused on supporting law enforcement officers during National Police Week, which runs from May 14 to 20.
Tenney kicked off National Police Week last week with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Memorial, where she laid a wreath to honor Rochester police officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz. Officer Mazurkiewicz, who was raised in Livingston County, was tragically killed in the line of duty in 2022.
The legislation passed this week by the House of Representatives includes:
H.Res. 363, a resolution honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In particular, the resolution commemorates 224 officers that were killed in 2022, as well as 332 officers killed in previous years whose stories were recovered in 2022. This list of officers listed in the resolution included Anthony Patrick Mazurkiewicz, a Rochester police officer who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. This resolution passed the House by a vote of 413-2.
H.R. 3091, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. This bill allows current federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase their retired service weapon at market value from a federal agency. Currently, these firearms are salvaged when they are retired, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. This bill passed the House by a vote of 232-198.
H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act of 2023, a bill Tenney cosponsored, which amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to explicitly state that assaulting a law enforcement officer is a deportable offense. This commonsense bill ensures that federal immigration authorities enforce our laws against illegal aliens who assault our law enforcement officers. This bill passed the House by a vote of 255-175.
H. Con. Res. 40, a resolution expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies. Specifically, this resolution condemns the radical “Defund the Police” movement and expressed the House of Representative’s support for local law enforcement officers. Over the last three years, the radical left has engaged in an extremist campaign to defund and demoralize our law enforcement officers. Through this resolution, House Republicans sent a strong and unified message that we stand with our valiant officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. This resolution passed the House by a vote of 301-119-3.
"Law enforcement officers safeguard our communities, tirelessly dedicating their lives to serving and protecting,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “We must stand united in support of these brave men and women who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way every day. Their unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe is a testament to their valor and integrity. This National Police Week, I was honored to back legislation reaffirming our support for law enforcement officers in New York and around the country.”
