Greg Murphy Voted Against Helping Local Law Enforcement Invest In Technology To Solve Cold Cases, Reauthorizing The National Domestic Violence Hotline, And Reauthorizing The Violence Against Women Act

2022: Murphy Voted Against The VICTIM Act, Which Would Help Local Law Enforcement Invest In Technology To Solve Cold Cases For Crimes Such As Homicides, Rapes, And Kidnappings

2022: Murphy Voted Against The VICTIM Act To Establish A Justice Department Grant Program To Help Law Enforcement Or Prosecuting Offices Establish And Implement Clearance Of Technological Investigative Practices To Improve Clearance Rates For Homicides, Rapes, Sexual Assaults, Kidnappings, And Non-Fatal Shootings. In September 2022, Murphy voted against: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would require the Justice Department, within 180 days of enactment, to establish a grant program to help law enforcement agencies or prosecuting offices establish and implement clearance and technological investigative practices to improve clearance rates for homicides, rapes, sexual assaults, kidnappings and non-fatal shootings. It would authorize $100 million annually through fiscal 2032 for the program. Projects eligible for grant funding would include developing policies, procedures and training to help detectives effectively investigate and solve crimes; hiring and retaining detectives and other personnel involved in collecting, processing, and testing evidence or analyzing violent crime; supporting victim services; implementing policies that safeguard civil rights and civil liberties in processing evidence; and establishing programs to support officers who experience stress or trauma as a result of responding to or investigating violent crimes. The bill would require grant recipients, within one year of receiving a grant, to submit a report to the department on funded activities and require the National Institute of Justice to submit a biennial report to Congress evaluating the practices used by grant recipients and the efficacy of any services provided to victims and their family members. It would establish a 100 percent federal cost share for grants awarded through 2032 and, for subsequent grants, a 50 percent federal cost share that could be adjusted by the department.” The bill passed by a vote of 250-178. [H.R. 5768, Vote #454, 9/22/22; CQ, 9/22/22]

• The Democratic Police Funding Bill Included Funding For Technology Investments To Help Local Investigators Close Cases, Especially Those Involving Gun Crime. “The House ended up approving the money, including for departments with fewer than 125 officers, and aid for de-escalation training and mental health services. A chief objective is reducing fatal encounters between police and people with mental illness. Other parts of the package would provide money for enhanced community violence intervention — a priority for progressives — and technology investments to help local investigators close unsolved cases, especially those involving gun crimes.” [Associated Press, 9/22/22]

The VICTIM Act Included Grants For Local Departments To Invest In Technology To Solve Cold Cases. “The fourth bill, titled the VICTIM Act and sponsored by Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), passed with widespread bipartisan support: All Democrats present and 30 Republicans voted ‘yes.’ The measure would direct the Justice Department to establish a grant program to bolster local investigators’ use of technology to crack cold cases, especially those involving gun violence.” [The Hill, 9/22/22]

2022: Murphy Voted Against Establishing An Active Shooter Alert Network Similar To AMBER Alerts, Which Had Support From National Law Enforcement Organizations

2022: Murphy Voted Against The Active Shooter Alert Act To Establish The Active Shooter Alert Communications Network To Inform Communities During Emergencies. In July 2022, Murphy voted against: “Passage of the bill that would require the Justice Department to appoint a national coordinator for a new Active Shooter Alert Communications Network. It would require the coordinator to work with state and local government agencies to establish procedures for response to and public alerts regarding active shooter threats; coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission regarding the use of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System for active shooter alerts; establish and regularly update best practices for the issuance of alerts through the network; and report to Congress biennially on the status and effectiveness of each state and local alert procedure that has been implemented. It would authorize $2 million in fiscal 2023 for the Justice Department to carry out the bill’s provisions. It would also require the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress, within two years of enactment, on state and local responses to active shooters, including the timing and effectiveness of public alerts.” The bill passed by a vote of 260-169. [H.R. 6538, Vote #307, 7/13/22; CQ, 7/13/22]

• The Active Shooter Alert Communications Network Utilized Alerts Similar To AMBER Alerts. “The House approved legislation on Wednesday to create an active shooter alert network. Driving the news: The bill would create the Active Shooter Alert Communications Network to issue AMBER-style alerts to make people aware of active shooter situations in their area.” [Axios, 7/13/22]

The Fraternal Order Of Police Supported The Active Shooter Alert Act To “Improve The Ways Officers And Agencies Communicate With The Public About Active Threats.” “I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 6538, the ‘Active Shooter Alert Act.’ Responding to an active shooter event is chaotic and can be fraught with peril, especially when the incident is not confined to one location. Law enforcement officers must prioritize preserving lives and ending the threat. Simultaneously, they need a way to notify the public about the incident, whether that is to avoid a certain area, shelter in place, or announce when the area is once again safe. The bill you have introduced is designed to improve the ways officers and agencies communicate with the public about active threats. […] We believe as you do— having a network for informing the public during these critical incidents will save lives. On behalf of the more than 364,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you for your efforts on this legislation and look forward to working with you to get it passed. If I can provide any additional assistance about this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.” [Fraternal Order of Police, Letter, 1/28/22]

The National Sheriffs’ Association Supported The Active Shooter Alert Act. “The US House passed bipartisan legislation on Wednesday night that would help state and local governments set up a warning system for active shooter situations, and enhance law enforcement’s communication with the public in such emergencies. It would be similar in operation to the Amber Alert system that’s deployed whenever a child is abducted. […] The bill was endorsed by numerous law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police and National Sheriffs’ Association.” [Bloomberg, 7/13/22]

The National Education Association Supported The Active Shooter Alert Act To “Reduce Harm During A Shooting.” “On behalf of the 3 million members of the National Education Association, who educate and support 50 million students in 14,000 communities across America, we urge you to vote YES on the Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022 (H.R. 6538). Votes on this legislation may be included in the NEA Report Card for the 117th Congress. […] The Active Shooter Alert Act is a pragmatic response to our epidemic of gun violence. The legislation would create a national system for sending AMBER-style alerts during an active-shooter emergency. This would be crucial in disseminating accurate information quickly, warning people in the vicinity who are vulnerable. […] The members of NEA know that our nation’s students will not truly be safe until we address the root of our crisis: There are far too many guns on our streets, from small towns to major cities. We support the Active Shooter Alert Act because it attempts to reduce harm during a shooting, and we continue to ask members of Congress to work toward passing the commonsense gun reforms, such as raising the minimum age for purchasing semiautomatic weapons from 18 to 21 and requiring universal background checks, that Americans are demanding. We ask that you vote YES on the Active Shooter Alert Act.” [National Education Association, Letter, 7/13/22]

2021: Murphy Voted Against Reauthorizing The National Domestic Violence Hotline

2021: Murphy Voted Against The Family Violence Prevention Act. In October 2021, Murphy voted against: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would reauthorize and modify programs to address domestic, dating and family violence under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. It would authorize $328 million annually through fiscal 2026 for new and existing programs, including $26 million for grants to state coalitions to support local and culturally specific violence prevention efforts; $14 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and $4 million for a new National Native American Domestic Violence Hotline; $10 million for new grants to organizations serving underserved populations; and $3.5 million for research and evaluation activities. Among other provisions, it would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in programs funded by state formula grants. It would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and issue a report, within two years of enactment, on federal programs for violence survivors, including to analyze gaps in such programs and steps taken to ensure survivors have access to programs that support their financial stability.” The bill passed by a vote of 228-200. [H.R. 1219, Vote #336, 10/26/21; CQ, 10/26/21]

• The Family Violence Prevention Act Would Reauthorize Programs To Address Domestic And Family Violence, Including Authorizing $14 Million For The National Domestic Violence Hotline. “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would reauthorize and modify programs to address domestic, dating and family violence under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. It would authorize $328 million annually through fiscal 2026 for new and existing programs, including $26 million for grants to state coalitions to support local and culturally specific violence prevention efforts; $14 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and $4 million for a new National Native American Domestic Violence Hotline; $10 million for new grants to organizations serving underserved populations; and $3.5 million for research and evaluation activities.” [H.R. 1219, Vote #336, 10/26/21; CQ, 10/26/21]

2021: Murphy Voted Against Reauthorizing The Violence Against Women Act

2021: Murphy Voted Against Reauthorizing The Violence Against Women Act. In March 2021, Murphy voted against: “Passage of the bill, as amended, that would reauthorize programs enacted under the Violence Against Women Act through fiscal 2026. It would also expand a number of these programs and other programs and policies aimed at addressing and assisting victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking and sex trafficking.” The bill passed by a vote of 244-172. [H.R. 1620, Vote #86, 3/17/21; CQ, 3/17/21]

• Murphy Voted For An Amendment Reducing The Length Of The Reauthorization Of The Violence Against Women Act. In March 2021, Murphy voted for: “Stefanik, R-N.Y., amendment no. 36 that would replace the bill's provisions with language to reauthorize funding for programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act through fiscal 2022.” The amendment was rejected by a vote of 177-249. [H.R. 1620, Vote #85, 3/17/21; CQ, 3/17/21]