House Democrats pursue legislation to aid in local police forces despite opposition from leadership.

House Democrats appear to be at odds with a bipartisan bill launched earlier this year that would invest in local police agencies around the country to ensure officers have the resources they need to keep themselves and their communities safe.

The Invest to Protect Act, introduced by New Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Florida Republican Rep. John Rutherford, would offer local police agencies with multiple investments in safety, de-escalation, and domestic violence response training. The law would also fund body cams, mental health assistance, and recruitment initiatives.

The legislation is supported by the House Problem Solvers Caucus and various law enforcement groups, including the National Fraternal Order of Police and the National Association of Police Organizations. It is not scheduled for a vote in the House. Gottheimer toldl that the legislation is “all about investing in local police enforcement for departments of 200 or fewer,” and that it will help agencies who are struggling to purchase equipment, training, and other resources.

“I believe it is crucial that we invest in police enforcement, that we have their backs just as they have ours every day, that we follow the laws on the books, and that we defend our communities,” Gottheimer said.

When asked if he feels Democratic leadership has stymied the bill’s development out of concern of how progressive Democrats will react, Gottheimer emphasized the bill’s bipartisan support. He believes that debate among leftists about defunding police agencies “makes no sense.”

“I’d leave it to my leadership to remark on why they haven’t brought this up yet,” Gottheimer said. “We want to conduct common-sense work. Democrats and Republicans both demand action. There is no reason why this should not be brought to the floor. It’ll pass. Our country will be safer as a result.

“We need to fund local law enforcement, not defund it,” he continued. “Cutting the bone hurts the profession and drives out good individuals. Anything else than investing in law enforcement makes no sense to me. As a result, we must invest.” Nevada Democrat Rep. Susie Lee, a bill co-sponsor, also talked about the bill and pledged to keep pressing Democratic leadership in the House to get the bill to a committee and then to the entire House for a vote.

“This really levels the playing field so that smaller departments can access these sorts of grant monies to help them with training and getting the tools they need,” Lee explained.”At a time when Washington can be so divided, it’s gratifying to see members of both parties in the House and Senate speaking with one voice: We support our police,” she said. “I join them all in urging House leadership to bring this legislation to the floor for a vote so that we can help rural and small police departments like the ones in my community compete for resources and training, allowing them to deal with a growing public mental health crisis, the opioid epidemic, and so much more.”

Gottheimer and several House co-sponsors held a news conference outside the Capitol earlier this week, pressing leadership to act on the bill in order to better safeguard American neighborhoods.