House Approves Critical SCAAP, JPL Funding

June 29, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas,CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted today to approve legislation that provides $415 million in funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). The bill also includes key funding for ongoing and planned missions of the La Canada Flintridge-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007, H.R. 5672, was approved with bipartisan support, 393-23.

"Illegal immigration is a national problem that is a federal responsibility," Dreier said. "That is why funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program is so critical to states like California and communities like Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. This is an issue of fairness, responsibility and public safety. The funding approved today is essential to ensuring state and local law enforcement officials have the capacity to properly imprison lawbreakers and keep our streets safe."

SCAAP reimburses states and localities for the costs of incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens. Over the last six years, California has received over $1 billion in SCAAP funds, representing over 41 percent of totalSCAAP funding for the nation. During the same time period, Los Angeles County received $118 million and San Bernardino County received $3 million of SCAAP funds. H.R. 5672 also funds several of JPL’s ongoing and planned missions, including $700 million for its portfolio of Mars Missions such as, the Mars Rovers and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The bill also provides $98.5 million for the JPL-managed Space Interferometry Mission, and $10 million for the Terrestrial Planet Finder for continued technology development. The wide range of JPL-managed missions funded by the bill are a critical part of NASA’s overall mission to develop new technologies and advance scientific research. Dreier said the continued support of JPL’s missions is deserved because of their continued success. "JPL stands out as a shining example of hard work, dedicated research, and true discovery. I am proud to support their continued efforts."