Nashville Standard

United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have reintroduced the Restoring Law and Order Act, a piece of legislation designed to increase resources for law enforcement and aid in the reduction of violent crime. This bill was initially introduced in 2022.

Recently, the Shelby County Crime Commission in Memphis reported a 50 percent surge in the murder rate in 2023 compared to 2022. Other crime rates also experienced an uptick last year.

Senator Hagerty expressed his concern about the escalating crime wave, stating, “The American people have had enough of the violent crime wave sweeping our nation.” He criticized Democrats in Congress for focusing on "snooping on hard-working Americans through the IRS" rather than addressing violent crime. The proposed legislation aims to repurpose funds allocated for new IRS agents towards addressing rising rates of homicides, carjackings, robberies, and other forms of violent crime across U.S communities. Senator Hagerty added that he is pleased to join Senator Blackburn in reintroducing this legislation during National Police Week to address this urgent need.

Senator Blackburn shared similar sentiments, expressing her concern over repeat offenders committing violent crimes due to lenient bail policies. She said, “Far too often, we’re seeing violent crimes committed by repeat offenders who end up back on the streets because of soft-on-crime bail policies.” She pointed out that law enforcement departments nationwide are understaffed and ill-equipped to effectively target violent crime. Senator Blackburn criticized far-Left campaigns aimed at discrediting law enforcement while advocating for defunding the police and eliminating cash bail. In contrast, she affirmed her support for law enforcement during National Police Week and emphasized that funding should be increased rather than decreased. She believes that this legislation will provide essential resources for law enforcement officers to track down violent criminals, restore law and order, and ensure safety for Tennesseans.

The full text of the Restoring Law and Order Act can be found here.