Reichert and Colleagues Introduce Appropriations Amendment to Provide Funding for Law Enforcement Agency Hiring

Press Release

Today, U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) introduced an amendment during the House consideration of the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations bill (H.R. 2578) that would boost funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program (Byrne JAG) by $100 million to be used to help local police departments across the nation meet their hiring needs. Rep. Reichert was joined in co-offering this amendment by fellow Law Enforcement Caucus Co-Chair Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), and Reps. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA). The amendment was unanimously accepted and passed the House this afternoon.

Rep. Reichert said, "I hear consistently from police officers from Maryland to Washington State that the best way to protect and positively engage with our communities is to make sure there are enough cops on the streets. Many law enforcement agencies are not able to meet their community's needs without federal grants. Law enforcement agencies across the country are continually asked to do more with less. That is why today's amendment ensuring funding for hiring is so absolutely critical. We need our local law enforcement to have the resources available to do their jobs, working with our communities to build partnerships built on trust, protect our families and our neighborhoods, protecting the rights and freedoms of us all. They are our first line of defense and we must ensure that it is a strong one."

"It's our duty to ensure our brave law enforcement officers have every advantage at their disposal in keeping our streets safe," stated Rep. Pascrell. "As police departments across the country continue to face budget constraints, this federal funding marks a significant investment in achieving that goal. I stand committed to supporting funding for this critical program so these brave men and women have every resource possible to protect themselves and our communities."

"I'm proud to be part of this effort to ensure the continuance of the commonsense, fiscally responsible and flexible Byrne JAG Program. This program allows communities in my district -- and across the country -- to fund anti-crime activities, whether that involves hiring more officers, to deploying new law enforcement technologies or even providing needed services for crime victims. This is a necessary program that helps make our neighborhoods safer and I thank Rep. Reichert for his leadership on this matter," said Rep. Dent.

"I'm pleased to team up with Congressman Reichert in supporting important funding for local law enforcement," said Rep. Herrera Beutler. "These Byrne grants provide vital support for law enforcement throughout Washington state -- including Southwest Washington. Byrne grants provide flexibility to address local needs. In Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties, local law enforcement saw a community need and were able to use Byrne grants to help form the Cowlitz Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force to combat illegal drug use in that region. The city of Vancouver has used Byrne funds for officer safety equipment, technology to enhance computer crime investigations, and for the Neighbors on Watch citizen patrol program. This amendment will better equip law enforcement with the resources they need to keep our communities safe."

H.R. 2578 eliminates the COPS Hiring Program, which provides federal grants to local police departments for the hiring and retention of police officers. The bipartisan amendment offered by Reps. Reichert, Pascrell, Dent and Herrera Beutler would help mitigate the impact of this cut by increasing funds for Byrne JAG by $100 million. Under existing law, Byrne JAG grants can also be used for hiring purposes. The amendment is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Sergeants Benevolence Association, and the Major County Sheriffs' Association. Other important law enforcement programs included in the CJS appropriations package include the community trust initiative, regional information sharing activities, anti-methamphetamine activities, offender reentry programs, sexual assault response programs, the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog grant program, and funding for the DEA and FBI.