Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor, expressing concern over what he termed as "soft-on-crime" policies, which he believes are exacerbating the challenges faced by law enforcement.

"In cities across America, soft-on-crime policies are making the tough job of law enforcement even tougher," McConnell stated. He went on to question President Biden's recent assertion that "Americans are safer from violent crime today than a year ago."

Contrary to this statement, McConnell pointed out that crime rates in many American cities remain unacceptably high. He cited Washington D.C., where there have already been 63 homicides and more than 1700 car thefts this year alone. Among these crimes was the tragic shooting of a three-year-old girl who was hit by a stray bullet.

"Last year, Washington saw homicides rise 35%. The city’s murder rate reached its highest level in a quarter century," McConnell added. He also mentioned Los Angeles and Chicago, where home break-ins and overall crime rates have risen respectively. In Philadelphia, efforts to remove a district attorney accused of being lenient on crime have escalated to the state supreme court.

McConnell argued that Democratic leaders are downplaying concerns about violent crime due to their own policies being potentially at fault. "If they looked this problem in the face, they’d have to admit that their own policies are to blame," he said.

The senator concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the American people deserve safe streets and law enforcement deserves elected leaders who support them.