Whereas, beginning in 2020, and in conjunction with the defund the police movement, respect for the rule of law and law enforcement officials diminished; Whereas this change in attitude has resulted in record death and injury to America’s law enforcement officers at the Federal, State, local, and Tribal level; Whereas policies implemented at several State and local jurisdictions have increased the difficulty and added significant risks for law enforcement to do their jobs effectively and safely; Whereas law enforcement is demanded to handle societal problems, including a nationwide mental health crisis, record-setting overdose poisonings due to fentanyl, and an increase in the homeless population; Whereas the lack of accountability for violent criminals with decreased penalties and no-bail policies has opened the door for record criminal activity in cities across the country; Whereas these policies have encouraged the public to aggressively and violently engage with law enforcement; Whereas law enforcement officers answer every service call, regardless of community support or ridicule; Whereas law enforcement officers answer every service call, regardless of the threat to their lives; Whereas there are currently 23,785 names of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC; Whereas the deadliest year on record for law enforcement was 2021, when 586 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty; Whereas, in 2022, 224 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty; Whereas, in 2023, 137 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty; Whereas 378 law enforcement officers were shot in the line of duty in 2023, the highest year on record, of which 115 were violent ambush attacks