WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today announced Senate passage of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which provides $26.1 billion in CJS funds for the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The rise in violent crime and the critical ongoing fight against terrorism have placed new pressure on the law enforcement agencies working hard every day to keep our nation and our neighborhoods safe,” Chairwoman Mikulski said. “I am committed to giving law enforcement the tools they need to clean up the streets, protect our families, and fight the crime that is destroying communities.”

PROTECTING AMERICA FROM TERRORISM

The bill provides $7.3 billion for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Chairwoman Mikulski has continually acknowledged the new counterterrorism responsibilities placed on the FBI since 9/11, and has shared her concern that the agency is being pulled in too many directions, with too few resources. With the added challenge of the recent mortgage crisis, the bill includes $10 million for the agency to hire at least 25 new special agents to investigate mortgage fraud, which brings the total number of agents to 175.

“The FBI is our domestic security agency with many responsibilities competing for scarce resources. The agency has a growing international role and new responsibilities at home to protect us from terrorists while keeping us safe from violent crime,” Chairwoman Mikulski said. “Since 9/11, the FBI has shifted 2,000 agents from violent crime into counterterrorism, forcing state and local law enforcement to pick up the slack. We need to give the FBI the resources they need so they can fulfill their new duties while protecting our communities.”

The bill also includes:

• $6.2 billion for the Bureau of Prisons.

• $1.9 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which targets and dismantles criminal narcotics activities.

• $1.1 billion for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to support partnerships with state and local law enforcement to fight gangs and prevent violence.

• $954 million for the U.S. Marshals Service to support 25 new Deputy U.S. Marshals and to establish an additional Regional Fugitive Task Force to address the increased workload associated with implementation of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which Chairwoman Mikulski co-sponsored.

COMMUNITY SECURITY

Chairwoman Mikulski has led the fight to restore the previous administration’s cutbacks on federal resources to fight and assist state and local communities in fighting violent crime. Pledging to stand up for cops on the beat, Chairwoman Mikulski rejected proposed cuts of $2.1 billion and provided $3.2 billion in funding for state and local law enforcement.

“I have heard from state and local police around the country that the consequences of these funding cuts will be fewer cops on our streets fighting gangs, drugs, and child predators and fewer prosecutions of criminals,” Chairwoman Mikulski said. “We have an obligation to keep our communities safe from violent crime. If we can provide resources to the police in Iraq, we should support our cops here at home.”

Funding for state and local law enforcement includes:

• $550 million for Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) grants.

• $546 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG).

• $415 million to prevent violence against women.

• $374 million for juvenile justice and delinquency prevention.

The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act now goes to President Obama for his signature. For more information on the CJS spending bill, including Chairwoman Mikulski’s investments to protect our nation’s children from predators, go to: http://mikulski.senate.gov/Newsroom/PressReleases.