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“We want to take that best practice of respecting law enforcement in Iowa to the nation’s capital, and I was thrilled that we got bipartisan support,” Nunn said.
But the Iowa congressman admitted he was surprised by the level of opposition from Democrats.
“I think it unfortunately puts a real spotlight on a chasm we have between those who support law and order and those who are supporting those who undermine it,” Nunn said.
The resolution itself praised police officers for what lawmakers described as “extraordinary sacrifice” while also condemning left-wing efforts that Republicans say have weakened public safety in cities across America.
One section of the resolution specifically criticized progressive policies that many conservatives blame for rising crime and hostility toward officers.
“Whereas rhetoric and policies from leftist activists and progressive politicians seek to defund or dismantle local police departments undermine public safety and place both officers and the communities they serve at greater risk,” the resolution states, in part.
That language reportedly became a major sticking point for Democrats who opposed the measure.
The vote also arrived just days after a new FBI report revealed assaults on law enforcement officers reached a 10-year high last year, raising fresh alarms about the dangers facing police nationwide. While the number of officers killed reportedly declined slightly compared to the previous year, attacks against police continue to trend upward.
Republicans quickly tied those numbers to years of anti-police rhetoric pushed by progressive activists, particularly following the nationwide unrest and calls to slash police funding that exploded in 2020.
The resolution additionally praised the Trump administration’s law-and-order agenda, crediting tougher crime policies and aggressive policing strategies for major declines in violent crime statistics.
Nunn pointed to those numbers while defending the measure.
“We are at a 125-year low for murder rates, 10-year low for drug overdoses,” Nunn told Fox News Digital. “These are things that good community policing, that our law enforcement officers are doing every day, have had a really positive impact.”
Several Democrats facing difficult reelection battles voted in favor of the resolution, signaling concern about appearing soft on crime heading into November. Others in competitive districts, however, still voted against it, including Gabe Vasquez.
A handful of Democrats avoided taking a clear side altogether. Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Johnny Olszewski voted “present” rather than directly supporting or opposing the measure.
Meanwhile, House Republicans used National Police Week to push a broader anti-crime legislative agenda focused on bail reform, repeat offenders, and support for law enforcement agencies nationwide.
At a candlelight vigil honoring fallen officers, Mike Johnson delivered a message directly aimed at law enforcement families.
“To the families of those fallen heroes and those who continue to stand guard in our communities: we have your back,” Johnson said Tuesday night. “We’ll continue to advance policies here that support law enforcement and bring justice to those who seek to harm officers.”
Republicans are also preparing legislation targeting controversial cashless bail systems adopted in several Democrat-run jurisdictions. One proposal would require the attorney general to compile a national list of states and cities using such policies, which critics argue allow dangerous repeat offenders to cycle back onto the streets before trial.
The politically charged vote underscores how policing, crime, and public safety remain central battleground issues heading into the next election cycle. With violent crime, border security, and urban disorder continuing to dominate voter concerns, Republicans are betting that strong backing for law enforcement will resonate with Americans increasingly frustrated by soft-on-crime policies.
And after this week’s vote, conservatives believe Democrats may have handed them another powerful campaign issue.
