The gist

Requires every House member to spend one shift riding with a local police officer in their district each term, or get publicly named for skipping it.

Who wins, who loses

• Wins: local police departments wanting face time with lawmakers; voters who want reps grounded in local realities.
• Loses: House members who dislike police policy or scheduling burdens; potentially officers stuck hosting politicians.

What it does

• Mandates one ride-along per term in the member's own congressional district.
• Directs the House Administration Committee to write the rules.
• Ethics Committee publishes a public list of members who fail to complete it.
• Also prints their failure in the Congressional Record. Applies to Delegates and Resident Commissioners too.

Why should I care?

Supporters say lawmakers vote on policing, crime, and public safety without ever seeing a patrol shift, and a ride-along builds real understanding. Critics argue ride-alongs show a curated version of policing and won't change votes, calling it a political stunt. An alternative: require meetings with both officers and community members impacted by policing. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.