RELEASE: Gottheimer, Rutherford Celebrate Relaunch of House Law Enforcement Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, January 9, 2024, U.S. Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and John Rutherford (FL-05) relaunched the House Law Enforcement Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on getting the backs of the law enforcement community. The House Law Enforcement Caucus was created in 1994 to address issues facing the law enforcement community — including fighting for greater funding, support, and coordination for our first responders. Gottheimer was previously announced as Co-Chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus last Congress.

“Everyday, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our families and communities safe. Our first responders are the best in the world, and I am proud to continue getting their backs as the Co-Chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Relaunching this bipartisan caucus demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our brave officers across the country always have a voice in Congress. The bottom line, when it comes to law enforcement, we must invest to protect — we must fund, not defund.”

“As a former sheriff and lifetime member of law enforcement, I am honored to advocate in Congress for America’s law enforcement community,” said Congressman John Rutherford (FL-5). “Over the last few years, the House Law Enforcement Caucus has come together in a bipartisan manner to engage in substantial policy debates regarding recruitment and retention, training, and technology. Congressman Gottheimer has been a great partner on law enforcement issues, and I look forward to working with him this Congress as the new caucus co-chair to support our law enforcement officers and the communities they protect and serve.”

Gottheimer’s Work to Support Law Enforcement: 

• Gottheimer led theInvest to Protect Act,which passed in the House andmakes critical, targeted investments in small and midsize police departments with fewer than 200 sworn officers for the recruitment, retention, mental health support, and training they need to protect themselves and their communities. The bipartisan bill passed the House with 360 votes, including 153 Republicans. The Senate also passed a version of the legislation. 
• Gottheimer helped lead the Social Security Fairness Act, which would restore Social Security benefits for thousands of law enforcement officers across the country, and helped shepherd its passage out of the House.
• Gottheimer helped lead the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. This law fully funds the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to pay all eligible compensation claims for 9/11 victims and extends the claim filing deadline to October 1, 2090. 
• Gottheimer helped lead legislation to award congressional gold medals to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This bill awarded Congressional Gold Medals to the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and other law enforcement agencies that protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. 

• Gottheimer helped lead a resolution memorializing law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Gottheimer helped lead a resolution commemorating the centennial anniversary of the New Jersey State Police Department’s founding. This resolution honors and recognizes the integrity and professionalism of the New Jersey State Police throughout 100 years of service and dedication to the citizens of New Jersey. This was Introduced in the House.
• Gottheimer helped lead the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act, which would provide the National September 11 Memorial & Museum a one-time grant to be used to operate the memorial and museum. 
• Gottheimer helped lead a resolution commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11, calling on all Americans to observe the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and honor those who lost their lives.
• Gottheimer, Porter, Phillips, Spanberger Led 32 Democrats Urging House Leadership for Votes on Bipartisan Law Enforcement Bills. Specifically, they urged House leadership to bring bipartisan, commonsense bills to the House floor for standalone votes — to invest in local police departments to boost the numbers, retention, training, mental health, and accountability of law enforcement officers.
• Gottheimer led the CARS Actwhich would reestablish the National Auto Theft Bureau to provide resources to local police departments and coordinate a national response to auto theft rings.
• Gottheimer helped lead theAuto Theft Prevention Act, which would provide state and local law enforcement agencies with the critical federal funding they need to help combat auto thefts and stolen vehicle trafficking. 

Gottheimer is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, where he works to bring Democrats and Republicans together across party lines to find areas of agreement on key issues facing the nation.

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