Cao’s Cuts Could Defund Federal And Local Law Enforcement
Richmond, VA — Hung Cao called a radical plan that would fire almost 50,000 federal law enforcement officers and rip away federal funding for local and state law enforcement “perfect” – which could jeopardize the livelihood and safety of all Virginians.
In February of 2022, Florida Senator Rick Scott, then serving as the leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, rolled out a radical budgetary plan for the GOP that he saw as a blueprint if he were to become Majority Leader. Hung Cao bragged that he was consulted by Rick Scott about the plan and called it “perfect” and endorsed Rick Scott for Majority Leader and called him his political mentor.
Part of Scott’s 11-point plan was to reduce the federal workforce by 25 percent over 5 years. If his plan is applied evenly across all federal agencies, it would result in devastating cuts to federal law enforcement officers:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation: over 9,000 lost jobs.
- Drug Enforcement Agency: over 1,700 lost jobs.
- Customs and Border Protection: over 15,000 lost jobs.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement: over 5,300 lost jobs.
- Transportation Security Administration: over 13,700 lost jobs.
- Secret Service: over 1,900 lost jobs.
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: over 1,300 lost jobs.
- US Marshals Service: over 1,300 lost jobs.
Another part of Rick Scott’s Plan is to “eliminate all federal programs that can be done locally,” likely defunding law enforcement jobs. The federal government provided $3.9 billion to state and local law enforcement for fiscal year 2022, which funded hiring programs, technology upgrades, and efforts to fight opioid use. Scott’s plan would defund federal support for these programs in local and state governments.
Mitch McConnell even lambasted Scott for this radical plan, saying “It’s just a bad idea.” What is crystal clear is that while this plan was far from perfect for McConnell, Hung Cao thinks this radical scheme would be “perfect.”
“Hung Cao’s radical plan to defund local law enforcement and cut federal law enforcement personnel is devastating to the livelihoods of Virginians who serve in law enforcement and could jeopardize the safety of every Virginian across the Commonwealth,” said Michael Beyer, Communications Director for Senator Kaine’s campaign. “Senator Kaine knows that many brave Virginians risk their life every day to keep us safe and they shouldn’t have to worry if their job is next on the MAGA chopping block. Senator Kaine will always stand up for law enforcement and protecting these vital jobs that help keep Virginians safe in the U.S. Senate.”
Cao’s Cuts is a series the Kaine for Virginia campaign launched to highlight how Hung Cao supports a radical plan that could weaken border security; defund law enforcement; jeopardize veterans’ benefits; raise taxes on active-duty servicemembers and disenfranchise veterans; put Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid on the chopping block; raise taxes on Virginia families and small businesses; and give the rich giant tax giveaways.
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