[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S6670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        BORDER DRUG PROSECUTIONS

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, shortly before the July 4th recess, 
the Senate passed an Emergency Supplemental spending measure as part of 
the Military Construction Appropriations Bill. This measure dealt with 
a number of critical needs, including aid for fire victims in New 
Mexico and funds to continue the war on drugs in Colombia. I am pleased 
that this legislation also included $12 million to reimburse county and 
municipal governments along the U.S.-Mexico border for the high costs 
that they have incurred in handling drug prosecutions and 
incarcerations for the federal government.
  Dramatic increases in manpower and resources for the Border Patrol 
and Customs Service has meant dramatic increases in drug and alien 
smuggling and illegal crossing apprehensions. Our border counties, 
which have handled these cases for the federal government for many 
years, have borne heavy costs of these prosecutions with no 
reimbursement from the federal government. These are some of the 
poorest counties and communities in the nation, and they can no longer 
afford to pay the costs associated with an expanded caseload they are 
handling for the federal government.
  Specifically, this provision will enable the United States Attorneys 
to assist border county and municipal governments in the Southwest 
Border states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California with their 
court costs, courtroom technology needs, the building of prisoner 
holding spaces, administrative staff, and indigent defense costs that 
are associated with the handling and processing of drug cases that 
would otherwise fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal government.
  I appreciate the help and commitment of Senator Gregg, Chairman of 
the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator 
Stevens, the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, for working so 
closely with me to address the needs of the Southwest border. I also 
want to thank Jim Morhard, Staff Director of the Commerce-Justice-State 
panel, and Kevin Linskey, for their hard work on this matter. Jim and 
Kevin serve both the Committee and Senator Gregg very well, and their 
efforts on the staff level are making a difference in improving the 
lives of people living along the U.S.-Mexico border.

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