Mark Dayton: “I am astonished that there is any disagreement about the need for increased funding for the Byrne grants. This is one of…”

“I am astonished that there is any disagreement about the need for increased funding for the Byrne grants. This is one of the critical programs we fund through the Congress. I am amazed, as my colleague from Georgia said, that last year the amendment we passed together, which the Senate passed unanimously, was then basically gutted entirely in the conference committee at the insistence of the House and the administration. And, in fact, the funding for the Byrne grant program for this year is cut by one-fourth from what it was the previous year. I have heard suggestions from people that this money is not well spent or that it is not needed in particular States. To them, I say, please, please, send your money back. Send it to Minnesota, send it to Georgia. I can assure Members the money in Minnesota is extremely well used. It is absolutely necessary. Let me quote, as evidence of that, Mr. Robert Bushman, president of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers: Without the support of the Byrne Justice Assistance Program funding, these drug task forces face reductions that will decrease their abilities and effectiveness. Should this occur, Minnesota's ability to fight the war on drugs would undoubtedly be diminished, with potentially dangerous consequences. We talk of the need to protect this country from terrorists. I support that as strongly as anyone. We have terrorists operating on the streets of Minnesota and I suspect through this country every day.…”