[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H3646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FUND THE BYRNE-JAG GRANTS
(Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, at a time when 80 percent or
more of the meth in this country is pouring in from international
superlabs like those in Mexico, the Federal Government has a duty to
help local law enforcement to keep this poison off our streets. That is
why I cannot understand why some, including the administration, would
propose to eliminate the Byrne-JAG program.
For those of us that represent highly rural and exurban districts,
these vital grants and the police officers that they support are
critical to efforts to keep drugs out of our communities and away from
our children.
Last year, the Byrne-JAG program took a significant hit, despite our
best efforts. The effect was predictable. Many States had to cut or
eliminate their drug task force.
We cannot afford these cuts again. We must fund the Byrne-JAG program
at no less than $900 million in FY 07.
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