Ratcliffe hears testimony from law enforcement regarding 1033 program

U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) recently heard testimony from law enforcement officials regarding President Barack Obama’s decision to curtail access to the 1033 program, which gave excess military equipment to local law enforcement agencies.

Ratcliffe recently introduced a bill to reverse the president’s executive order, titled the Protecting Lives Using Surplus (PLUS) Equipment Act of 2016, H.R. 4880.

“We have – pretty much across the board – seen the 1033 extremely helpful in assisting law enforcement in challenging days and times,” Michael J. Bouchard, representative of the Major County Sheriffs’ Association, said. “I think we saw real-time evidence of that in San Bernardino with the use of armored vehicles and tactical equipment to save lives. The day that was playing out, we received an order from Washington to return our track vehicle – that day. And it was loaded on a flatbed and the intent was to blow it up.”

Other law enforcement representatives said that the program was helpful in their department’s response efforts, including dealing with high-water flood rescues and hours-long standoffs with armed attackers.

“Today’s hearing makes it abundantly clear that the president’s decision to unilaterally cut access to potentially life-saving equipment jeopardizes not only the safety of our state and local officers themselves, but also the communities that they bravely protect,” Ratcliffe said. “This politically driven, knee-jerk reaction must be reversed, and I’m grateful for this legislation’s strong support by members of Congress all across the country. Now, more than ever, we must stand behind our law enforcement officers and their ongoing commitment to our protection.”