Conyers Criticizes Bush Budget as Short-Changing Law Enforcement

(Washington, DC) – Today, House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) criticized President Bush’s budget for cutting critical funding for vital law enforcement programs. "This budget is harmful to the American people, law enforcement and our nation's priorities," said Conyers. "While spending lavishly on the war in Iraq, the president continues to shortchange the needs of our communities."

• He proposes a 75% cut in overall law enforcement – from more than $1.7 billion Congress appropriated last year, down to barely $400 million. The COPS program, the Weed & Seed program, and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants will be dismantled and consolidated. The Office of Violence Against Women would be cut by almost a third, from $400 million to $280 million. And the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which helps states cope with the costs of incarcerating undocumented aliens who commit crimes here, will be completely zeroed out. These and other cuts will seriously undercut states' ability to fight crime and ensure the safety of our citizens.
  
  
• For the third straight year, the president proposes to cut funding for the Legal Services Corporation. This year, he proposes $311 million, $40 million below what Congress appropriated last year. This cut would harm the ability of LSC to help victims of domestic violence, keep families in safe and affordable housing, and safeguard poor consumers, especially the elderly, against predatory lenders. The current foreclosure crisis has dramatically increased the number of poor Americans seeking legal assistance from LSC grantees. Across the country, LSC-funded programs are seeing an increase of up to 3 times more calls from people seeking assistance with foreclosure cases. LSC grantees are also continuing to help people rebuild their lives from the impact of natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina, California fires, and the floors in the Midwest and Northwest.
  

"The president’s budget drives America further into record debt while doing precious little to improve the quality of life," said Conyers. "This Congress must continue working to realign these misplaced priorities to better reflect the needs and values of the American people."

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