Rep. Veasey Votes to Build Safer Communities Across North Texas

WASHINGTON – This week, Rep. Veasey voted to deliver new federal resources to build safer communities across North Texas. This robust package includes four bills that will provide much-needed investments for law enforcement across Texas – providing them with new tools to prevent crime and keep Texans safe – while bolstering training, accountability, and justice.

"I was proud to cast my vote to help make North Texas communities safer for our families," said Rep. Veasey. "Together, this package of legislation will help local police departments build healthier, stronger relationships between North Texas communities and the officers sworn to protect them. These bills deliver investments to prevent crime, boost community violence prevention, strengthen police accountability and save lives."

The public safety package consists of four bills:

• Invest to Protect Act: funding small Texas police agencies through grants to retain and recruit officers, reduce the use of force and invest in strong accountability measures, including de-escalation training; improved response to substance use disorders; improved support for survivors of domestic violence; and promoting a duty of care.

• VICTIM Act: bolstering Texas law enforcement agencies' capacity to investigate and close cases of violent crime through new funding to:

o hire and train detectives to investigate homicides, sexual assaults and other violent crime

o ensure victim services are funded, staffed and trained to address the needs of survivors and family members

o acquire and upgrade investigative technology to better process evidence

• Break the Cycle of Violence Act: building on the American Rescue Plan's life-saving investments in effective, evidence-based community violence prevention solutions – helping community organizations and local governments:

o hire violence intervention and prevention specialists

o offer intensive counseling, peer support and mediation services to survivors

o provide culturally-responsive social services for Texans at the highest risk for involvement in community violence

• Mental Health Justice Act: saving lives by supporting the deployment of unarmed mental health professionals when responding to mental health crises in Texas communities.

This legislation builds on President Biden and Congressional Democrats' ongoing and strategic work to build safer communities in Texas and across the country.