Sen. Hutchison Introduces $500 Million Border Law Enforcement Legislation

Press Release

Sen. Hutchison Introduces $500 Million Border Law Enforcement Legislation
Would Establish DOJ Grant Program with Focus on Border Communities

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), today filed legislation that would create a $500 million grant funding program at the U.S. Department of Justice with a direct focus on helping border communities fight narcoterrorism.

"Our border law enforcement personnel are under assault and the Congress must provide the funding they need," said Sen. Hutchison. "Federal funding for combating narcotics trafficking must focus on the communities along the border that are on the frontlines."

The Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2008 will create and authorize $100 million for each of the 2009-2013 fiscal years in federal grant funding, with two-thirds designated for border communities within 100 miles of the northern and southern borders. One-third of the grant funding will be designated for law enforcement agencies across the country that are affected by border-related criminal activity.

Funding from these grants could be used to obtain equipment, upgrade technology, hire additional personnel, and cover overtime and transportation costs associated with criminal activity along the border.

In May Sen. Hutchison secured $100 million in federal funding for domestic law enforcement in the Senate version of the Supplemental Appropriations bill, but the funding was removed during a conference with the House.

Also today, Sen. Hutchison sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman and Ranking Member (and the subcommittee of jurisdiction's Chairman and Ranking Member) asking that $100 million be added to the second Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill ($85 million for domestic law enforcement and $15 million to fund Project Gun Runner).

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