Chairman Goodlatte: Bulletproof Vest Grant Program Saves Lives (Floor Statement)

Chairman Goodlatte: Since 1999, the Bulletproof Vest Program, or BVP, has awarded more than 13,000 jurisdictions a total of $393 million in federal funds for the purchase of over one million bulletproof vests. The bulletproof vest grant program is a critical resource for state and local jurisdictions that has been proven to save lives. We must be sure that our law enforcement officers are protected from the risks inherent in the job. In 2016 alone, there have been 17 police officers killed by gunfire. In March, a bulletproof vest saved the life of Officer Andy Harris, who was shot when he responded to a shots fired call. He is but one of many officers saved by a bulletproof vest. Based on data collected and recorded by the Department of Justice, protective vests were directly attributable to saving the lives of at least 33 law enforcement and corrections officers in 20 different states in a single year. At least 14 of those life-saving vests had been purchased, in part, with BVP funds. This bill reauthorizes BVP grants at $25 million per year and extends the authorization through 2020. The bill has the support of all major law enforcement organizations, has been approved by the Senate, and with this authorization, we will immediately be impacting the safety of our law enforcement officers. Law enforcement officers across the United States put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities and fellow citizens. As they continually make sacrifices for us, we must ensure that we provide them with resources to protect their lives as they protect ours. Today’s approval of legislation reauthorizing a critical bulletproof vest grant program for state and local law enforcement officers will save lives. I thank Representative LoBiondo and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Leahy for their work on this issue and dedication to our nation’s law enforcement officers and urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time. ###