[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET TERMINATES PROGRAMS PROVIDING AID TO OUR LAW 
                          ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

  (Mr. SCHIFF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, the largest single program scheduled for 
termination by the President's budget is the Department of Justice's 
formula grant programs that provide aid to State and local law 
enforcement agencies. The administration's defense of this proposed 
termination is the expectation that in the crime bill the Congress is 
considering these funds will be replaced.
  Now here is the problem with that kind of reasoning:
  First, what if we do not pass a crime bill? We have been working on 
it for 3 years. Second, assuming we do pass a crime bill, will the 
funds be sufficient to replace the funds that are being lost in today's 
budget that exists today? And even if the funds are sufficient, will 
they be there in time to avoid a gap being created in the providing of 
these vital funds to State and local law enforcement agencies? But even 
if the funds are going to be replaced in the crime bill, Mr. Speaker, I 
suggest that this is still not a valid policy because it sends a mixed 
message.

                              {time}  1310

  When the President in the State of the Union Address said that he 
intended to help fight crime and help local and State law enforcement 
agencies, he did not say, less the amount he was taking away from the 
existing budget that does exactly that.
  Mr. Speaker, I am drafting a letter to send to the President which 
would urge him to withdraw his proposed termination of this grant 
program. I ask all my colleagues to join me in signing it.

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