U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced her support for legislation that would withhold federal funding to “anarchist jurisdictions”—those state and local jurisdictions that purposefully obstruct the rule of law in favor of violent mobs.
The Ending Taxpayer Funding of Anarchy Act (S.4085) would restrict federal funding for jurisdictions that abdicate their constitutional duty to their citizens to uphold the rule of law and provide police, fire, or emergency medical services for their communities.
“The American people understand their constitutional right to peacefully protest for what they believe in. But they also find it baffling to witness city and state leaders withdraw and allow anarchy, rioting, and destruction of government and private property,” Hyde-Smith said. “This bill sends a message that anarchy cannot be allowed to stop the delivery of basic services to a community.”
The measure, referred to the Senate Finance Committee, would withhold federal tax dollars from those jurisdictions until the rule of law is affirmed and enforced. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) authored the bill.
Since the initiation of protests following the tragic death of George Floyd in late May, Hyde-Smith has cosponsored the JUSTICE Act, reform legislation to improve community safety through police training reforms, and greater law enforcement accountability. She also co-sponsored a resolution (S.Res.613) calling for justice for George Floyd and opposing calls to defund the police.
