Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) fought to restore important federal grant funds used by local law enforcement and Washington state’s drug task forces. Steep cuts to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) program could shut down many Washington state drug task forces which are helping law enforcement rid communities of drugs.

“Byrne grants are critical to our local law enforcement and the fight against methamphetamine,” Larsen said.  “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Meth Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of these funds to our drug task forces as they work to bust meth labs.”

Larsen spoke in support of the bipartisan Byrne-JAG Restoration Amendment he co-sponsored that would restore $286 million to the Byrne-JAG program in the FY06 Science, State, Justice, Commerce Appropriations Act (H.R. 2862). The bill currently cuts the Byrne-JAG program by 45 percent. Restoring the funding would come from an across-the-board cut of 0.448 percent-less than half a percent-to every agency under the appropriations bill.

In fiscal year 2005, Washington state’s drug task forces received more than $4 million in Byrne grants. Under the current bill, Washington state would get $2.4 million, representing a 41 percent cut.

Larsen pointed out recent examples of efforts Byrne grants helped make possible.

“Last week in Whatcom County, local, federal and state law enforcement agents arrested nearly 40 Bandidos motorcycle gang members and their associates as part of Operation Roadhouse,” Larsen said. “Throughout the two-year investigation and since the arrests, the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force expended thousands of dollars in resources and man-hours to ensure the operation’s success.”

On Friday and Saturday, the Bellingham police department arrested 13 suspected crack cocaine dealers in Bellingham after a two-month investigation the department completed in conjunction with the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force.

“Clearly, these task forces are doing critical work, yet these funding cuts put our task forces at risk,” Larsen implored. “As one sheriff in my district told me, this cut in Byrne grants could not come at a worse time.

While home during the Memorial Day District Work Period, Larsen held five town halls centered on meth issues in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.

“My constituents sent me back to Congress with an overwhelming message of support for these Byrne and JAG grants,” Larsen said.  “Washington residents see the results of these funds in their own communities.  They want these funds and their neighborhoods protected.”

Other co-sponsors of the Byrne-JAG Restoration Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) are Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA), Bart Stupak (D-MI), Steve King (R-IA), Tom Osborne (R-NE) and Mark Kennedy (R-MN).

While the amendment failed, Larsen will continue his efforts to restore this critical funding.

In addition to Byrne grants, Larsen also led the congressional delegation effort to include the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative as a recipient of Methamphetamine Enforcement and Clean-up Account funds as part of the Community Oriented Policing Services budget. Funding amounts will be assigned when House and Senate leaders work out the differences between their two versions of the bill during conference committee.

Larsen is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine.