Reichert Supports Emergency Drug and Crime Prevention Funding
Washington, D.C.,
Jun 25 -
Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today supported a significant funding increase for state and local law enforcement. Reichert praised the passage of H.R. 3546, which provides a $490 million increase for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program, funds for which Reichert has long advocated and funding that is critical to fighting drugs, gangs, and violent crime in local communities.
“We must give our police officers the resources they need to do their jobs and continue to keep our communities and our nation safe,” Reichert said. “It is unacceptable to turn our backs on law enforcement if we want to adequately fight the spread of drugs like Meth. These emergency funds will significantly aid our local law enforcement agencies in eradicating drugs and gangs from our neighborhoods and keeping our children safe.”
Funding for the Byrne JAG program was cut by two-thirds in the previous fiscal year. The $490 million increase restores funding to the level that passed both the House and Senate last year. Washington State would lose over $5 million in funds if these cuts were not restored; seriously impeding local law enforcement’s ability to combat and prevent crime in our communities. These grants support multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces and especially help combat drug and gang activity in small towns and rural communities.
Congressman Reichert is a long-time champion of the Byrne JAG program. He previously advocated for the inclusion of $429.6 million for the Byrne JAG program in the emergency supplemental spending bill, and in 2005, helped pass an amendment to increase funding for the program by $25 million.
Reichert serves on the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus.
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*This release has been corrected from it's original version to reflect the passage of Reichert's amendment in 2005.
