U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for law enforcement vehicle security upgrades would be expanded under legislation recently proposed by U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX).
“Recent reports show a major uptick in attacks on our law enforcement, especially ICE agents, and their assets,” Rep. Gonzales said. “As our ICE agents and their law enforcement counterparts continue to crack down on the worst of the worst, they should have adequately equipped vehicles to continue keeping themselves and Americans safe.”
The congressman on Jan. 30 sponsored the Bulletproof Law Enforcement Vehicles Act, H.R. 7285, which would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the use of certain financial assistance for vehicle security enhancement upgrades, according to the Congressional Record bill summary.
“My bill, the Bulletproof Law Enforcement Vehicles Act, authorizes the use of federal funding allocated for task forces to go toward providing law enforcement with vehicle security enhancements, including bulletproof windows,” said Rep. Gonzales.
H.R. 7285 is supported by the Police Officers’ Defense Coalition, the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition, and the Southwest Border Sheriff’s Coalition. The bill is under consideration by the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee.