[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS AND AMERICAN SAMOA 
                  CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUPPORT ACT OF 2024

                                 ______
                                 

                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 2024

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce legislation that gives 
this House an opportunity to provide more funding for policing.
  My bill, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa Criminal 
Justice Support Act, does this by allowing the Northern Mariana Islands 
and American Samoa to be treated as two separate entities for the 
purposes of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. 
Currently, the Marianas and American Samoa are considered as one entity 
for funding, unlike the other U.S. insular areas--Puerto Rico, Guam, 
and the United States Virgin Islands--which are treated as individual 
jurisdictions, as are all fifty States.
  By fixing this inequity in funding for police in the Marianas and 
American Samoa, we can ensure our local law enforcement agencies 
receive the necessary training and equipment they need to keep our 
communities safe. Making this change will also provide more funding to 
support prosecutors and the courts, as well as justice-related 
initiatives aimed at crime prevention.
  Local law enforcement is increasingly the first line of defense 
against the evolving security threats our country faces. We must do all 
we can to recognize the vital role of our police in maintaining public 
safety.
  The gentlelady from American Samoa, Ms. Radewagen, is an original 
cosponsor of the bill. I urge all my colleagues to consider this 
critical and bipartisan legislation for the good of our island 
communities.

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