Thirty House Democrats urge Speaker Pelosi to take up legislation boosting police funding

A group of 30 House Democrats has sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for her to take up legislation to increase police funding. 

“There are a number of bipartisan bills supporting increased resources for police departments and officers that we believe should be considered,” the letter urges. 

The letter was organized by New Jersey Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer, co-chairman the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. 

“We continue to hear from our constituents who are extremely concerned about the rising level of crime in the country, and about the importance of enforcing laws already on the books,” the letter states. 

Democrats, who control the White House, Congress and have governors leading many major U.S. cities, are facing the possibility in November of of losing control of the House and Senate, with increases in crime a major voter concern. 

Member of the party's most liberal wing called to "defund" police departments across the country amid the summer 2020 social justice protests.

However, Pelosi has stated she does not support that effort. And President Bidden during his recent State of the Union address called for more police funding. 

Those who signed the letter  – including Virginia's Abigail Spanberger and Arizona's Tom O’Halleran – are asking the House Judiciary Committee to take action on funding measures and say the panel "has no intention of bringing any law enforcement bills."

Among those on the committee is Rep. Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat who has supported the "defund" effort.