173 House Dems Vote Against Resolution Honoring Police

House Democrats overwhelmingly voted against a Republican-backed resolution supporting law enforcement this week, exposing deep political divisions over policing, crime policy, and the legacy of the “defund the police” movement.

Only 29 House Democrats supported the measure, which praised the “extraordinary sacrifice” of law enforcement officers while condemning anti-police rhetoric and policies that Republicans argue have endangered public safety.

Meanwhile, 173 Democrats voted against the resolution, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Every Republican present voted in favor of the measure.

The resolution was introduced by Zach Nunn, who said he expected the legislation to receive unanimous support during National Police Week.

“We want to take that best practice of respecting law enforcement in Iowa to the nation’s capital, and I was thrilled that we got bipartisan support,” Nunn said in an interview with Fox News.

Still, Nunn expressed frustration over the large number of Democrats who opposed the measure.

“I think it unfortunately puts a real spotlight on a chasm we have between those who support law and order and those who are supporting those who undermine it,” he said.

The vote comes as new Federal Bureau of Investigation data showed assaults against police officers reached a 10-year high last year.

At the same time, the number of officers killed reportedly declined somewhat between 2024 and 2025.

Some Democrats reportedly objected to language inside the resolution criticizing left-wing activists and sanctuary city policies.

“Whereas rhetoric and policies from leftist activists and progressive politicians seek to defund or dismantle local police departments undermine public safety and place both officers and the communities they serve at greater risk,” the resolution stated.

The measure also praised President Donald Trump’s law-and-order agenda, crediting the administration’s policies with helping reduce violent crime nationwide.

According to Nunn, the United States recently achieved its lowest homicide rate in more than a century.

“We are at a 125-year low for murder rates, 10-year low for drug overdoses,” Nunn told Fox News Digital.

“These are things that good community policing, that our law enforcement officers are doing every day, have had a really positive impact,” he added.

Most Democrats who voted in favor of the resolution are considered politically vulnerable and face competitive reelection races this November.

However, several swing-district Democrats still voted against the measure, including Gabe Vasquez.

Other Democrats — including Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Johnny Olszewski — voted “present.”

The vote took place during National Police Week, when lawmakers honor fallen officers and recognize law enforcement service nationwide.

At a candlelight vigil earlier this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson pledged continued support for law enforcement officers and their families.

“To the families of those fallen heroes and those who continue to stand guard in our communities: we have your back,” Johnson said.

“We’ll continue to advance policies here that support law enforcement and bring justice to those who seek to harm officers,” he added.

House Republicans are also advancing a broader anti-crime legislative package this week.

One proposed bill would require the attorney general to publish a list of state and local governments using cashless bail systems.

Republicans have repeatedly criticized cashless bail policies, arguing they allow repeat offenders to remain free while awaiting trial and contribute to rising crime concerns in major cities.

The law-and-order debate unfolded alongside another major Republican push involving congressional redistricting in the South.

Earlier this week, Tate Reeves canceled a planned special legislative session on redistricting after a favorable federal appeals court ruling involving Mississippi Supreme Court districts.

However, Reeves made clear that congressional map changes remain under consideration — including possible efforts targeting Mississippi’s majority-Black 2nd Congressional District currently represented by Bennie Thompson.

The broader legal battle follows recent Supreme Court rulings limiting the use of race in congressional redistricting, creating new opportunities for Republican-led states to redraw maps ahead of upcoming elections.