Steve Toth Votes Against Protecting Law Enforcement, Stuns Congressional District 2 Voters

[TX-02] – Congressional District 2 voters have recently come to realize Rep. Steve Toth voted against legislation designed to protect the lives of Texas law enforcement, setting off alarm bells all around the community.

The legislation, HB 2217 by Republican Rep. Trey Wharton, was filed during the latest legislative session and sought to establish “a grant program to equip local law enforcement vehicles with bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, and door panels” with the intention of enhancing officer safety.

HB 2217 enjoyed overwhelming Republican support and passed the House with only 6 nays. Toth was one of those nays. Regardless, HB 2217 later passed the Senate and was signed by Governor Abbott, becoming law.

“Rep. Steve Toth’s vote against protecting our law enforcement is a disgrace,” said Joe Gamaldi, National Vice-President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “HB 2217 is a major piece of legislation that greatly enhances the ability of police departments across Texas to protect their officers. Texas has led the nation in officers shot five years running and will likely again this year. Without bullet-resistant vehicles, law enforcement officers are put at immense risk and can easily be ambushed by criminals as we keep seeing time and again.”

Protecting our law enforcement isn’t optional, it’s a duty every legislature should uphold. Yet despite overwhelming support from Texas House Republicans to protect the men and women who wear the badge, Steve Toth voted against defending those on the front lines of our local communities. Once again, he’s shown just how incompetent he is as a legislator. Texas deserves leaders who will back the blue, not betray them when it matters most.