[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H162-H163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PRESIDENT'S BUDGET CUTS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR METHAMPHETAMINE PROGRAMS

  (Mr. BAIRD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page H163]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of local communities 
in my State and throughout this country that are fighting a terrible 
battle against methamphetamine, its production and use. And I rise to 
express grave concern about the impact of our President's budget 
proposal on that fight.
  Let me share with you some troubling figures. The President of the 
United States has proposed to cut COPS funding by $376 million, he has 
proposed to cut the Meth Hot Spots program by $23.5 million, the Safe 
and Drug-Free Schools program by $353 million, and he has proposed to 
completely eliminate Byrne grants.
  Now, I can tell you that when I go back home and I talk to my 
sheriffs and police officers and treatment specialists, they tell me 
meth is a catastrophe in our communities and we must fight it. 
Regrettably, this President's budget cuts the funds we need to prevail 
in that fight.
  We need to restore those funds, and we need to emphasize to this 
administration that we have terrorists operating right here at home in 
our communities, and methamphetamine is their weapon of choice.

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