For the past couple of years, there’s been more attention directed toward police reform. Lawmakers have argued that various steps can be taken for the purpose of bridging divides between law enforcement and the communities they’re tasked with serving.
About a year ago, GOP lawmaker Tim Scott tried working with Democrats on a bipartisan police reform bill. However, it ultimately did not pan out.
Unfortunately, there are still certain Democrats today who continue to call for defunding law enforcement altogether. This comes notwithstanding higher crime rates stemming from police defunding.
Now, a brand new attempt at a bipartisan police reform bill is here, according to Fox News.
Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff is working across the aisle with Republicans like Sen. Marco Rubio on legislation that will help train police for contact with individuals who have suffered devastating brain injuries.
The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act
In the bill proposed, $270 million over a five-year time period would go towards giving police officers the necessary training for interactions with people who’ve undergone brain injuries of a traumatic nature.
Ossoff and Republicans who support this legislation argue that it will provide critical de-escalation skills to law enforcement officers.
Sen. @ossoff is leading the charge to pass his and Sen. @marcorubio's bipartisan bill to help police officers, firefighters, first responders, and teachers purchase their first homes. pic.twitter.com/lJVGQmhV2m
— Ossoff's Office (@SenOssoff) May 18, 2022
In a statement, the Georgia Democrat claimed the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act would not only provide a boost to mental health, but also encourage public safety and reduce the harm that can follow brain injuries of a severe nature.
As it turns out, this legislation has garnered the support of police unions, such as the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police.
A Return to Bipartisanship?
Over the past few years, America’s politics have grown much more divided.
Gaps between the left and the right have heightened exponentially, despite the current president talking about how much he wants to have unity and togetherness.
Whether or not the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act ends up passing will provide some insight into whether or not any form of bipartisanship can exist in today’s America.
TODAY: Sen. @ossoff and Sen. @marcorubio will promote their bipartisan HELPER Act during National Police Week, which would help law enforcement officers, first responders, firefighters, and teachers purchase a home. pic.twitter.com/LIdRp3ESzp
— Jake Best (@Jake_Best_) May 17, 2022
If Congress is able to come together and pass this bill, it would be a step ahead of the police reform bill that ultimately failed quite some time ago.
Ossoff has been working directly with Sen. Marco Rubio on this legislation, with both lawmakers taking a lead on it. Both senators also express a vested interest in promoting this bill and acquiring the necessary votes to pass it into law.
Do you believe Congress will manage to pass this bipartisan police reform bill? In the comments area below, let us know if you think this legislation will help bring together both law enforcement and the communities they are responsible for serving.
