Manchester Police Patrolman's Union Endorses Frank Guinta for Congress

Statement

The Manchester Police Patrolman's Association, the union representing sworn law enforcement officers in New Hampshire's largest city, has endorsed Frank Guinta for Congress.

New Hampshire's current Congressman, running to represent the First District, served for two terms as mayor of Manchester. "We at the Patrolman's Association have known Frank Guinta a long time," said MPPA President Ken Chamberlain. "We know his faith in law enforcement officers. We know his good work as mayor and United States Representative. We know his positive agenda for the Granite State, everything from budgetary issues to safety and security, will help our neighborhoods become more peaceful places. We wholeheartedly endorse Frank to serve us in Congress."

"I couldn't be more grateful for this outstanding vote of confidence from the brave men and women who make up the best police force I know," said Guinta. "When I was mayor, we worked hard for our constituents, helping to reduce crime in Manchester by 17 percent. CNN named the city one of America's Best Places to Live."

"Due to an upswing in violence in big cities, crime is again on the front burner. New Hampshire has a big drug problem, and police officers feel under siege. In Congress, I'm giving them the tools they need to stop crime and save lives -- to protect Granite Staters from harm," he said. "That includes ensuring police officers' health benefits, allowing them to focus on their important jobs."

A member of the House Budget Committee, Guinta introduced the "Ax the Tax on Middle-Class Americans' Health Benefits" Act to repeal Obamacare's 40-percent tax on the health benefits businesses and governments in New Hampshire offer employees. The so-called Cadillac Tax would have forced budget-strapped municipalities to eliminate benefits and staff, even among police. Guinta's bipartisan bill forced the President to sign a delay into law, saving public and private sector workers' insurance plans, as well as jobs and wages.

Guinta has voted for a number of other measures to protect police and families in the First District. He voted for a nationwide Blue Alert system to warn of threats to officers. He voted to exclude disability and survivors benefits, in case of injury or death in the line of duty, from federal income taxes. And he voted to allow federal law enforcement officers to carry agency firearms during emergency government furloughs.

Guinta is Chairman of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. He led passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which diverts low-risk drug offenders into treatment to reduce recidivism. The bill disrupts synthetic opioid trafficking, among other provisions, and the President signed it into law. As well, Guinta is focused on stopping heroin at the U.S.-Mexico border, where nearly all of it enters the country, to prevent dangerous drugs from reaching New Hampshire neighborhoods.

He and Task Force co-founder Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) regularly host briefings with law enforcement officers to develop solutions to New Hampshire's number one problem.

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