Columbia News

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has criticized Senate Democrats for blocking a group of bills intended to support law enforcement officers and first responders. The proposed legislation aimed to provide police with more resources, training, and mental health support.

The blocked bills included the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025, which would have allocated Department of Justice funds to help state and local governments train personnel and provide equipment to prevent accidental exposure to dangerous substances like fentanyl. Another bill, the Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025, sought to extend a program that offers grants for family support and mental health services—including suicide prevention—for law enforcement agencies through 2029.

Other measures prevented from advancing were the PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025, which would update the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program; the Strong Communities Act of 2025, allowing COPS grant funds for recruits attending academic institutions if they commit to serving in their communities; and the Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act, permitting COPS grants to hire retired federal officers with technical expertise for training or civilian tasks.

In his prepared remarks on the Senate floor, Schmitt stated: “I rise today to request unanimous consent to call up and pass this year’s Police Week bills. These bills are bipartisan. They are common-sensical. And most importantly — particularly in light of recent events — they would give this chamber the chance to demonstrate its commitment to the men and women who wear the badge, and to the laws they serve to protect.”

Schmitt described challenges faced by law enforcement both on city streets and within political institutions: “In cities across the country today, our law enforcement officers are beset from below and above. From below, on our streets, they face an emboldened criminal element and a resurgence of organized political violence. From above, in the halls of power, they face a political class which seems hellbent on undermining and attacking them at every turn.”

He also referenced past incidents: “The result of this system could be seen in the unprecedented wave of violence that ravaged our cities in the wake of the George Floyd riots in 2020. It can still be seen today on the streets of cities overtaken by ANTIFA.”

Highlighting officer well-being as a policy priority, Schmitt said: “Every single year, more officers die by suicide than they do in the line of duty. That is a profound policy failure — one that it is on us to fix.”

Summarizing his position on legislative action for law enforcement support programs he concluded: “If you stand on the side of justice and our first responders, these votes should be simple — and easy.”