[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 
                           2006 THROUGH 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3402) to 
     authorize appropriations for the Department of Justice for 
     fiscal years 2006 through 2009, and for other purposes:

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment I 
am offering with my friends Mr. Kolbe and Chairman Lewis to reauthorize 
the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.
  Illegal immigration is a critical federal responsibility and a 
serious local problem. Local law enforcement are on the front lines 
when it comes to keeping neighborhoods safe from illegal immigrants who 
commit crimes. Our officers are forced to shoulder the added burden of 
punishing undocumented individuals who endanger our communities.
  The SCAAP program is designed to fulfill the federal government's 
responsibility to reimburse states and localities for the significant 
costs they incur when jailing illegal aliens. Passage of this amendment 
will demonstrate our unwavering support for local law enforcement as 
they uphold the law and protect our communities.
  This amendment authorizes $750 million for SCAAP in fiscal year 2006, 
$850 million for 2007, and $950 million for each of fiscal years 2008-
2011. While significant, this money represents only a fraction of the 
true costs incurred by state and local governments. California alone 
spends more than $750 million each year to jail criminal illegal 
aliens.
  The amendment also adds an additional measure of accountability and 
oversight to the SCAAP program. It requires the DOJ Inspector General 
to report to Congress on how effectively jurisdictions that receive 
SCAAP funding are cooperating with the Department of Homeland Security 
on deporting criminal aliens. Clearly, it is a national security 
priority and a local necessity to deport criminal aliens. This measure 
will help keep the federal focus on securing the borders, right where 
it should be.
  It is also important to note that the SCAAP program is not only 
critical for border states, such as California and Arizona, which Mr. 
Kolbe, Mr. Lewis and I are privileged to represent. States with the 
highest growth in illegal immigrants include North Carolina and Iowa. 
SCAAP has assisted all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico 
and the Virgin Islands.
  Let's stand with our local law enforcement and support robust funding 
for SCAAP. Support the Kolbe/Dreier/Lewis amendment.

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