Law and Criminal Justice

Cosponsor HR 5180: Restore Crime and Drug Prevention Funding to State and Local Law Enforcement

Endorsed by:
National Criminal Justice Association, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, Major County Sheriffs’ Association, National District Attorney’s Association, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, National Association of Police Organizations, National Association of Counties, International Community Corrections Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Drug Court Professionals, Integrated Justice Information Systems, National Association of Asian American Law Enforcement Commanders, National Latino Peace Officers Association

Current Cosponsors: Boswell, Braley, Johnson (GA), Souder, Yarmuth, Walz, Lewis (KY), Ellison, Cohen

Dear Colleague:

The 67% cut to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program (Byrne JAG) made by the FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act will devastate state and local law enforcement crime and drug prevention efforts if additional funding is not provided. The $170 million provided for Byrne JAG falls far short of the $600 million included in the House CJS Appropriations bill and the $660 million included in the Senate CJS Appropriations bill. Our states, communities, counties, and cities cannot fill this gap.

The Byrne JAG program provides direct grants to states and local communities to fund local drug task forces. It is the only source of federal funding for multi-jurisdictional efforts to prevent, fight, and prosecute drug-related and violent crime. It funds drug treatment; keeps our communities safe by increasing the number of officers on the street; and gives local law enforcement officers the tools they need to shut down the production and distribution of illegal drugs.

With the help of Byrne JAG funding, our state and local law enforcement officers have made tremendous strides in combating illegal drugs. A recent study found that Byrne JAG funded programs have led to 220,000 arrests, the seizure of 54,000 weapons; and destruction of 5.5 million grams of methamphetamine, and the elimination of almost 9,000 methamphetamine labs. The Byrne JAG program is proven, effective, and critical to public safety.

My bill, H.R. 5180, provides an additional $490 million in emergency supplemental funding to restore Byrne JAG funding in FY 2008.

Unless funding is restored, drug task forces across the country will be disbanded and the unprecedented cooperation amongst law enforcement, fostered by Byrne JAG funding, will be lost. Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police, and private citizens across my District and across the country have made clear that current funding levels will create an emergency in drug and crime prevention efforts. I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 5180 and help to restore funding to our state and local law enforcement officers. Please contact Meagan Linn (megan.linn@mail.house.gov) to cosponsor H.R. 5180 or for further information.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack

Updated February 13, 2008