As the daughter of a career law enforcement officer, and as a former federal agent, I know what it means to put on the badge. And I know what it is to feel that extra worry when a loved one leaves for work each day. For these reasons – and many more – I am a steadfast supporter of Virginia’s local law enforcement officers.

Virginia’s police officers readily take on roles and responsibilities far outside their job descriptions. In conversations I have with law enforcement across VA-07, I am reminded about the pressing need to retain these dedicated public servants and to recruit additional officers. It is essential that we hire, train, and retain dedicated and honorable men and women to keep our communities safe.

• Introduced bipartisan legislation that was signed into law — the Better Cybercrime Metrics Act — to give law enforcement the tools they need to identify cybercrime, hold criminals accountable, and keep Virginians safe online.


• Introduced the bipartisan Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) on the Beat Program Reauthorization and Parity Act to increase officer pay, fund community policing initiatives, and help police departments hire more officers.


• Helped introduce the Invest in Law Enforcement Act, which would make sure police officers in smaller communities and rural areas have additional funding, recruiting tools, and training.


• Introduced the bipartisan Wally Bunker Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety (HELPS) Retirees Improvement Act to make sure all retired police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officers in Virginia are eligible for a key tax benefit to pay for the healthcare coverage they have earned.