Contact: press@protectandservetx.com
HOUSTON – November 13, 2023 – With the Houston Mayoral Race now entering a runoff, voters have a clear choice when it comes to electing a mayor who will prioritize tackling rising crime in the Bayou City: John Whitmire.
While Whitmire has been a champion for law enforcement throughout his entire career, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has shown us, time and time again, that she stands with radical groups and politicians who are calling for the defunding of police departments and supports policies that completely undermine the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our communities every day.
Houston voters, who overwhelmingly (82%) want Houston’s next mayor to prioritize tackling crime, must remember Jackson Lee’s radical anti-police record and associations when they head to the polls in the December 9th Mayoral Runoff Election:
Sheila Jackson Lee Supports Defunding the Police
Jackson Lee proudly sponsored legislation that she said, "answers the concerns" of radical anti-police protesters calling for the defunding of police departments, saying: "What I hear when they say defund, they want reprogrammed dollars."
Sheila Jackson Lee introduces legislation to "reprogram" dollars away from police departments.
Jackson Lee actively campaigned for and supported radical Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who ran on a platform of "redirecting money away from policing."
Sheila Jackson Lee campaigns for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Scott Erickson, former police officer and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official pointed out recently that voters need to understand when politicians say they are 'reprogramming' or 'reimagining' funding for law enforcement, they really mean defunding the police:
"Though Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Johnson and other politicians may be loath to use the phrase 'defund the police,' it is painfully obvious that redirecting funding away from law enforcement and toward other endeavors is a way to accomplish the same goal. Whether carried out under the guise of ‘reprogramming’ or otherwise, this technique is merely defunding the police in more politically palatable terminology.
"Is this the recipe for public safety that Ms. Jackson Lee seeks for Houston? Defunding the police by using terms like "reprogramming"? Or will she run contrary to her progressive political colleagues and proudly reject any attempts to "defund," "reprogram," or otherwise pull resources away from local law enforcement?
"Communities need to support, empower, and provide adequate resources for their local law enforcement officers. Pursuing a rhetorically duplicitous campaign to strip law enforcement of resources when what they need is more support will only undermine public safety and endanger cities like Houston."
Sheila Jackson Lee’s Policies and Statements Target and Demonize Police Officers
Sheila Jackson Lee was "proud" to stand alongside radical “squad” politician Ilhan Omar to introduce legislation that would weaponize the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officers.
Sheila Jackson Lee and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
In introducing her legislation to "reprogram" police dollars, Sheila Jackson Lee targeted police officers, tweeting "How much longer will we have to wait for responsible legislation to address the bad behavior that occurs in bad policing."
Sheila Jackson Lee promotes her legislation to "reprogram" police dollars alongside Vice President Kamala Harris.
Sheila Jackson Lee vocally defended the City of Philadelphia after it cut its police budget by $33 million, saying that 'defund police' had been 'misinterpreted' and instead called it "reimagining," which "means you fund housing, education, and policing…"
Sheila Jackson Lee supported Philadelphia's $33 million budget cuts to its police department that Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police called "reckless" and "irresponsible."
Sheila Jackson Lee Supported Washington, D.C.'s Soft-On-Crime Policies Amid a Spike in Criminal Activity in the District
In February 2023, Sheila Jackson lee voted against H.J.R. 26 disapproving of Washington, D.C.'s radical rewrite of the city’s criminal code that would have "reduced maximum sentences for robberies, carjackings, home invasion burglaries, and illegal gun possessions, which have spiked in the District over the past three years."
Even President Biden was embarrassed by D.C.'s attempts to lower penalties for crimes, tweeting:
Joe Biden criticizes Washington, D.C.'s soft-on-crime policies on Twitter.
Sheila Jackson Lee's Top Allies Want To Dismantle Police Departments
The radical, pro-defund police organization–the Texas Organizing Project (TOP)–endorsed Sheila Jackson Lee for Houston mayor:
Texas Organizing Project, which has advocated for the 'dismantling' of police departments, has endorsed Sheila Jackson Lee.
In 2020, The pro-defund group Texas Organizing Project (TOP) promoted pro-defund police messages, even going so far as to suggest that police departments should eventually be 'abolished.'
TOP Facebook post promoting strategies to abolish police departments.
In August, George Soros funneled $250,000 to TOP to support radical, anti-police candidates, including Sheila Jackson Lee:
Texas Ethics Commission filing showing George Soros' $250,000 donation to Texas Organizing Project on August 3, 2023.
Jackson Lee recently used her platform on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to praise Soros as a "patriot," defending the soft-on-crime District Attorneys Soros has backed repeatedly in recent election cycles:
"We have accusatory commentary of Soros' DAs," Jackson Lee said. "Let us not put an individual that is not here, a contributing American, and jeopardize his life by always throwing his name out in the most ugly of ways. I am offended by that. Mr. Soros does not deserve that. He is an American and a patriot."
Sheila Jackson Lee Is The Wrong Choice For Houston
Whether it’s defunding police departments under the guise of 'reprogramming' funds, weaponizing the federal government against police officers, or locking arms with prominent pro-defund politicians and organizations, Sheila Jackson Lee has shown Houstonians she is the wrong choice to enhance the public safety in the nation’s 4th largest city.
“As Maya Angelou said, if they show you who they are, that is who they are.”
Sheila Jackson Lee at the Houston mayoral debate on September 25, 2023.
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Protect and Serve Texas is a political action committee (PAC) dedicated to supporting candidates across Texas who support public safety, back law enforcement and first responders, and work to decrease violent crime. Protect and Serve Texas also engages in ballot initiatives where support for law enforcement or first responders is on the ballot. Originally founded to counter the "Defund the Police" movement, Protect and Serve Texas PAC continues to advocate for the brave women and men in our state who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.
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