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Republican operatives are attempting to link vulnerable Democrats to progressive members calls to disband police departments and reduce their budgets as they look to flip key swing districts in November.

Top progressive lawmakers and outside groups have called for substantial changes to the structure of U.S. law enforcement after thedeath of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis who died during an arrest after a police officer knelt on his neck.

Rep. Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarNRCC turns up heat on vulnerable Democrats over Omar's call to abolish police Top progressive lawmaker unveils bill requiring national police training standards Pelosi demands Trump clarify deployment of unidentified law enforcement in DC MORE (D-Minn.) tweeted Friday: The Minneapolis Police Department has proven themselves beyond reform. Its time to disband them and reimagine public safety in Minneapolis."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezNRCC turns up heat on vulnerable Democrats over Omar's call to abolish police Overnight Energy: US Park Police say 'tear gas' statements were 'mistake' | Trump to reopen area off New England coast for fishing | Vulnerable Republicans embrace green issues Engel primary challenger hits million in donations MORE (D-N.Y.) also took to social media to blast New Yorks police budget, tweeting: If police budgets bought peace, the $6 billion NYPD budget wouldve bought the most sophisticated de-escalatory operation in the world. Clearly, it didnt.

The Minneapolis Police Department has proven themselves beyond reform.

Its time to disband them and reimagine public safety in Minneapolis.

Thank you to @MplsWard3 for your leadership on this! https://t.co/AQfHM5M6eR

Last night the NYPD Sergeants union *publicly threatened the mayors daughter* while they held her.

Indefensible.

If police budgets bought peace, the $6 *billion* NYPD budget wouldve bought the most sophisticated de-escalatory operation in the world.

Clearly, it didnt. https://t.co/wjl8MG059w

Republicans have slammed the proposal, arguing that while bad actors like those responsible for Floyds death should be held accountable, they believe that defunding and disbanding the police goes too far. A number of Democrats, including Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen BassKaren Ruth BassNRCC turns up heat on vulnerable Democrats over Omar's call to abolish police House Judiciary Committee to hold hearing on police brutality next week Minority caucuses call for quick action on police reform MORE (D-Calif.), also said they dont agree with calls to defund law enforcement.

"No, I don't believe that we should defund police departments," she said at apress conference on Wednesday.

While the Democratic party is not in agreement over the issue, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the House GOP's campaign arm, and outside groups like the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) are looking to seize on progressives comments by taking aim at those representing purple districts, many of which flipped during the midterm election cycle.

Of all of the things these insane Democrats have tried to abolish, this may be the most dangerously insane one yet, NRCC spokesman Chris Pack said in a statement. Whats next, the fire department?

While the Democratic lawmakers and candidates being targeted have not publicly weighed in on the topic, the NRCC has taken to social media and sent out numerous email blasts targeting members.

[Rep.] Tom MalinowskiThomas (Tom) MalinowskiNRCC turns up heat on vulnerable Democrats over Omar's call to abolish police Gun control group rolls out House endorsements Human Rights Campaign rolls out congressional endorsements on Equality Act anniversary MORE (D-N.J.) is honored to have the support of Indivisible, an extreme liberal group that wants to defund the police. Malinowski has even gone so far to say the group is 'essential to a healthy democracy',"it sent in a mass email on Thursday.

And CLF, the main House Republican super PAC, has employed similar tactics, highlighting donations made by Omar to vulnerable members campaigns.

WillRep. Underwood stay silent about her top donor [Omar]'s support of defunding the police? WillUnderwood push to defundChicago Police as well? the group tweeted, referring to Rep. Lauren UnderwoodLauren UnderwoodNRCC turns up heat on vulnerable Democrats over Omar's call to abolish police Julin Castro launches PAC to support progressive candidates Gun control group rolls out House endorsements MORE (D-Ill.), whom Omar has supported.

Will @RepUnderwood stay silent about her top donor @IlhanMN's support of defunding the police? Will @LaurenUnderwood push to defund @Chicago_Police as well? https://t.co/ljEng9EBb7 #ILpolitics #IL14 https://t.co/8trZRfwd2y

Attempting to connect moderates with progressive policies has been a leading component in the GOPs strategy in its efforts to take back control of the lower chamber.

While at times the NRCCs aggressive messaging tactics have come under fire, the group has asserted it needs to take a bold approach if theGOP is going to flip back the House.

Democratic lawmakers have vowed to take bold legislative action to prevent police brutality, but it is unclear whether any of the bills will include language to change the funding mechanisms for police departments.

Well, I did hear of Los Angeles, that's about almost onetenth of the budget, it's about $1.3ish billion, so that would be onetenth of that,"Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiNRCC turns up heat on vulnerable Democrats over Omar's call to abolish police Shocking job numbers raise hopes for quicker recovery Engel primary challenger hits million in donations MORE (D-Calif.) said at a press conference on Thursday when asked about thecity'splan to divert $150 million fromLAPD to various other programs. "Again, I'd refer to the Congressional Black Caucus as to how they want to prioritize. Its a question of curating some of these... overlap, prioritizing and then deciding in how many different bills will they appear."

Some of them may have some bipartisan support right away and others may need some more work in that regard," she added. "So we shall see.

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NRCC turns up heat on vulnerable Democrats over Omar's call to abolish police | TheHill - The Hill