Crowley Accuses Tiffany of Defunding Police, But Votes Don’t Back It
Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate David Crowley claims Tom Tiffany defunded police six times, but the congressional record shows otherwise.
2 min read
Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate David Crowley has accused Republican Tom Tiffany of defunding police six times, a claim that has sparked debate in a closely contested race. However, a closer look at the congressional record reveals that the votes cited by Crowley do not support his assertion.
One Vote Can Be Used Fairly
Crowley’s accusation is particularly significant in a race where public safety is a major point of contention. While Crowley can fairly point to one vote where Tiffany opposed the Invest to Protect Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at providing federal grant money to smaller police departments, the rest of the record complicates his claim.
The Invest to Protect Act passed the House with bipartisan support, receiving 360-64 votes. Tiffany was among 55 Republicans who voted against it, while 153 Republicans supported it. While this vote could be used as a fair criticism, it does not equate to defunding police departments, as the bill was designed to provide additional resources rather than reduce existing funding.
Other Votes Don’t Support Defunding Claims
Crowley’s broader claim that Tiffany defunded police six times includes votes on other legislation, such as the Break the Cycle of Violence Act and the Mental Health Justice Act. These measures focused on violence prevention and mental health support, not reducing police funding. None of the votes cited by Crowley resulted in the reduction of existing police funding, making the term “defund” misleading in this context.
The term “defund” has become a loaded political phrase, often used to describe reducing law enforcement funding and redirecting resources. However, if every vote against a grant program is considered defunding, the term loses its specificity and becomes a campaign tactic rather than a policy stance.
Timing and Polling Add Pressure
The timing of Crowley’s accusations is also significant. Recent polls show a tight race with Crowley at 49% and Tiffany at 46%, with the result within the margin of error. With a large portion of independent voters undecided, the campaign has intensified, and accusations like these can carry weight in shaping public perception.
Crowley had a clear, usable criticism in the form of Tiffany’s opposition to the Invest to Protect Act, which could have been a more accurate and impactful point. Instead, he chose to frame it as part of a broader defunding campaign, which may have been influenced by political strategy rather than factual evidence.
In a race where the outcome could hinge on undecided voters, the accuracy of campaign claims becomes crucial. While both sides may exaggerate circumstances, the media environment and political culture can shape how these claims are received and perceived by the public.
Source: PJ Media
