From [HERE] House Democrats passed bills that would give millions of dollars in grants to police agencies, even as resistance from some progressives showed how difficult the issue has become for the party.

The votes on Thursday were designed to help vulnerable Democrats, some of whom are being accused of being antipolice in midterm campaign ads, to convey to voters that they want to combat rising crime rates and support law enforcement. The bills aren’t expected to move forward in the Senate or become law, and Republicans suggested the votes were a campaign-season stunt. A recent NBC News poll found that Republicans had a 23-point edge over Democrats on the question of which party was better at addressing crime as an issue.

“We must fund, not defund, law enforcement,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D., N.J.), whose bill would authorize $60 million a year for five years for local police departments with fewer than 125 officers, for hiring and training, including for de-escalation of conflict. Some progressives pushed for more accountability measures for police officers in the legislation.

Mr. Gottheimer’s bill passed on a 360-64 vote, with nine Democrats and 55 Republicans voting against it.