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Tonko Votes to Pass Sweeping Public Safety Package

Advances slate of bills that fund mental health services, invest in law enforcement & provide support to victims

Washington, September 22, 2022
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WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today voted in the House to advance a slate of public safety bills, including:

  • H.R. 8542, Mental Health Justice Act of 2022
  • H.R. 6448, Invest to Protect Act of 2022
  • H.R. 4118, Break the Cycle of Violence Act
  • H.R. 5768, VICTIM Act of 2022

“Making smart federal investments in community safety programs can help change the course of countless lives while simultaneously lifting up the cause of justice,” Congressman Tonko said. “Whether through mental health treatment, victim-witness programs or education and training for law enforcement, these programs must be laser-focused on making our communities a safer place through a strong adherence to transparency and accountability. Even as we take this step, we must continue our efforts to advance legislation that strengthens mental health and addiction programs and addresses our nation’s epidemic of gun violence. I’ll continue working for these commonsense, life-saving measures that put the safety and well-being of our families and communities first.”

  • The Mental Health Justice Act: creates a grant program to pay for hiring, training, salary, benefits, and additional expenses for unarmed mental health professionals to respond to mental health crises in communities. 
  • The Invest to Protect Act: funds the police with grants to help small, local law enforcement agencies retain and recruit officers, while also investing in strong guardrails and accountability measures, including training for de-escalation, responding to substance use crises, supporting survivors of domestic violence, and promoting a duty of care.
  • The Break the Cycle of Violence Act: invests in programs to establish and/or support effective, evidence-based violence intervention programs, lowering rates of community violence and saving lives and taxpayer dollars.
  • The VICTIM Act: bolsters the ability of police forces to solve homicides, sexual assaults, shootings, and other violent crimes as well as training personnel to address the needs of victims and family members.

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