Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015
Floor Speech
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Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment. The gentleman's amendment would cut the DEA by $18 million to pay for a $15 million increase for LSC.
The DEA primarily targets high-level drug trafficking organizations, disrupting and dismantling them, attacking the economic basis of the drug trade and contributing to coun ter ter ror ism activities tied to and financed by drugs. It does not focus on low-level criminals nor on users.
It has seen a huge challenge not only internationally but from the cartels. Every drug area in the Nation now is controlled pretty much by the Mexican cartels.
Also, our funding level for LSC is $50 million above last year's House level. It is above the FY12 enacted level. The bill also includes an additional $43 million under the Violence Against Women program specifically for legal assistance for domestic violence victims. This amount is nearly 50 percent above the enacted level.
Lastly, later today, we will likely consider amendments that significantly reduce or eliminate LSC. I plan to oppose those amendments that are going to cut Legal Services. I oppose this amendment, and I ask for a ``no'' vote.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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