[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 653-654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              REAUTHORIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to discuss for the benefit of my 
colleagues a matter of great importance--consideration this Congress of 
legislation to reauthorize the Department of Justice.
  It has been nearly two decades since Congress has passed a general 
authorization bill for the Department of Justice. It is in my view a 
matter of significant concern when any major cabinet department goes 
for such a long period of time without congressional reauthorization. 
Such lack of reauthorization encourages administrative drift, and 
permits important policy decisions to be made ad hoc through the 
adoption appropriations bills or special purpose legislation.
  However, these concerns are amplified when the department in question 
is of such central importance to our national life as is the Department 
of Justice. The Department is entrusted critical duty of primary 
responsibility for the enforcement of our Nation's

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laws. Through its divisions and agencies including the FBI and DEA, it 
investigates and prosecutes violations of federal criminal laws 
protects the civil rights of our citizens, enforces the antitrust laws, 
and represents every department and agency of the United States 
Government in litigation. Increasingly, its mission is international as 
well, protecting the interests of the United States and its people from 
growing threats of trans-national crime and international terrorism. 
And, among the Department's key duties is providing assistance and 
advice to state and local law enforcement.
  The growing importance of the Department's role is demonstrated by 
the growth of its budget in the last two decades. In fiscal year 1979, 
the Department of Justice's budget was just $2.538 billion, and 
represented one half of one percent of the federal government's $559 
billion budget. In fiscal year 1999, the Department of Justice's budget 
is more than seven times greater--an estimated $18.2 billion, 
representing about 1 percent of the $1.75 trillion federal budget.
  As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I would like to advise my 
colleagues that a major priority of the committee this year will be the 
reauthorization of the Department of Justice. Last Congress, the 
Judiciary Committee reported a bipartisan, 3-year Justice Department 
reauthorization bill which was sponsored by myself and the 
distinguished ranking member, Senator Leahy. Unfortunately, this 
legislation, which was similar to a bill passed by the House of 
Representatives, never received consideration by the full Senate.
  In the next several weeks, I will reintroduce legislation to 
reauthorize the Department of Justice. The Judiciary Committee will 
redouble its efforts to address this important issue.
  I look forward to continuing reports to my colleagues on the 
important issue of Department of Justice reauthorization, and to 
working with each of my colleagues on this matter.

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