NEWS AND OPINION:
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has revealed what’s on the agenda this week on Capitol Hill. The wide-ranging report includes something for the nation’s men and women in blue, with this week being National Police Week.
“Over the last few years, Democrats’ embrace of the radical ’Defund the Police’ and ’No Cash Bail’ movements and anti-police rhetoric have made our communities less safe and fueled violence against the dedicated law enforcement officers working to protect Americans,” the report said.
“In 2022, 64 police officers were killed in the line of duty, with the leading cause of death being ambush-style attacks that claimed the lives of 11 officers. 30% of these casualties were caused by unprovoked attacks or ambushes on officers,” the report said.
“As they are being increasingly targeted for simply doing their jobs to protect our communities, police are also facing rising violent crime and reductions in police funding and staffing – across the country, law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep departments staffed amidst the rise in anti-police sentiment and threats to police officer safety,” the report stated.
“We should be standing up for the brave men and women who risk their lives to defend our streets, not implementing soft-on-crime legislation or stirring up animosity towards police,” the report said, citing seven bills of note.
One comes from a New Jersey Republican.
“Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s legislation, H.R. 7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, requires that illegal aliens who assault law enforcement officers are quickly arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) until they are removed from the United States,” the report said.
Another was introduced by a New York lawmaker who is also a retired police detective.
“H.R. 8146, the Police Our Border Act, sponsored by Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, requires the Attorney General to report detailed information on how [President] Biden’s border crisis impacts our law enforcement, including exposure to dangers such as fentanyl and human traffickers, injuries sustained, financial burdens, and operational strains,” the report said.
Another comes from a Florida Republican.
“H.R. 7530, the D.C. Crimes Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds, allows Congress to exert their oversight power over the D.C. Council and promote safety in Washington by blocking the Council’s pursuit of soft-on-crime sentencing and radical progressive policies,” the report said.
Inside the Beltway will highlight more legislation from Mr. Scalise’s summary on Wednesday.
Also in honor of National Police Week, House Speaker Mike Johnson will host a candlelight vigil to honor fallen police officers on the House steps on Tuesday, joined by families of fallen officers, law enforcement leaders, and other members of Congress.
TRUMP RALLY: THE RECAP
The reviews are in on former President Donald Trump’s big rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Sunday. Here are just a few headlines from the last 48 hours:
“Wildwood rally shows Trump’s base has only grown louder and prouder since 2016; The former president faces indictments across four jurisdictions, but that’s done little to quiet his most fervent fans” (The Philadelphia Inquirer); “Massive Trump beach rally in deep-blue NJ draws stark contrast to Biden’s beach weekend” (Fox News); “Donald Trump’s Wildwood rally ushers in an economic boom to the boardwalk” (CBS News); “Trump blasts Biden as ‘total moron’ before crowd of 100K at NJ rally: ‘Whole world is laughing at him’” (New York Post); “Donald Trump’s very Jersey Shore rally: Ex-president boasts he ate a hot dog and mocks Chris Christie at oceanfront event that campaign claims attracted an 80,000-strong MAGA crowd” (Daily Mail); and “Trump, bashing migrants, likens them to Hannibal Lecter, movie cannibal” (The New York Times).
ON THE RADAR
Friends of the National World War II Memorial in the nation’s capital will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6 with some special activities indeed.
“It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 80 years since 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and, by day’s end on June 6, 1944, the Allies gained a foothold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high - more than 10,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded — but more than 100,000 soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler and paved the way for an Allied victory,” the organization said in a statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
The event will feature a “Reading of the Names” starting at 5 a.m. Eastern time, to be conducted at the memorial’s newly restored Circle of Remembrance and site of the FDR D-Day Prayer Plaque.
“We will solemnly read aloud the names of those laid to rest at Normandy American Cemetery in France, who gave their lives during Operation Overlord (June 6 – August 30, 1944). Although we may not have a complete list, we will honor those identified through the Normandy American Cemetery,” the organization said.
“Reading will pause at 9:30 a.m. and resume at 11:30 a.m., continuing until approximately 2 p.m. We welcome volunteers to join us in this meaningful tribute,” the group said.
A ceremony at 10 a.m. will feature World War II veterans and representatives from Allied nations involved in the Normandy campaign; they will lay wreaths at the memorial’s Freedom Wall.
Those who want to attend in person must register with the organization, though the heartfelt event also will be live-streamed on Facebook. World War II veterans themselves are of course welcome. Find the information here at wwiimemorialfriends.org.
POLL DU JOUR
• 33% of U.S. adults say that President Biden is “very liberal” in his ideological beliefs.
• 70% of Republicans, 26% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.
• 22% say Mr. Biden is “liberal” in his beliefs.
• 13% of Republicans, 19% of independents and 33% of Democrats agree.
• 25% say Mr. Biden is “moderate” in his ideological beliefs.
• 4% of Republicans, 24% of independents and 45% of Democrats agree.
• 5% say he is “conservative.”
• 2% of Republicans, 5% of independents and 6% of Democrats agree.
• 2% say he is “very conservative.”
• 2% of Republicans, 1% of independents and 2% of Democrats agree.
• 13% are not sure what ideology Mr. Biden supports.
• 8% of Republicans, 25% of independents and 5% of Democrats agree.
SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,813 U.S. adults conducted May 5-7.
• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com, and thank you for reading Inside the Beltway.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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