John,

I want to share a hard truth: The House of Representatives voted down my amendment limiting the transfer of military-grade weapons to local law enforcement agencies. I’m as disappointed as you that a majority of the House chose to continue funneling military weapons and equipment straight from the battlefield to Main Street. But we cannot stop, we came extremely close and I am confident that if we are determined and if we organize, we will prevail.

The language in my amendment -- which is the same as my stand alone legislation “The Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act” -- had already passed the House TWICE as part of the “George Floyd Justice in Policing” bill. But that police accountability bill also died in the Senate last week after bipartisan negotiations collapsed.

What is particularly galling was the late, eve of vote letter from the National Fraternal Order of Police sent to House members exhorting them to vote ‘No’ on my amendment.

The FOP letter falsely claimed military equipment sent to police is ‘demilitarized’ and that there are no examples of police misuse.

Anyone who saw what happened in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s murder in Ferguson in 2014, Standing Rock protestors fighting for indigenous rights and clean water in 2016, and peaceful protestors in Lafayette Square in 2020 knows the truth.

There is no doubt in my mind this deceitful letter adversely impacted 22 of my Democratic colleagues who joined with all but two Republicans in voting against my amendment. The American people – their constituents – want weapons of war off our streets, but powerful interests once again used their undue influence to stop what is right.

But, John, this fight is not over, far from it. I will keep working to pass this commonsense reform measure – and I am confident our efforts will prevail in the end.

Can you show your support with a donation? Powerful special interests want to muzzle me. I need your help to take them on and win.

$5	$10
$15	$25
$50	Other

Let me be clear: It’s a temporary setback, not a defeat.

I know we are on the right side of history to stop militarizing police, and I refuse to give in to vested interests using lies to maintain their access to military weapons.

John, thank you for standing with me. Any amount you can give will help win this fight >>

Thank you,

Hank Johnson