Mark Udall: “I will support this bill, but I am disappointed with the way it is being brought to the floor and with the bill itself.…”

“I will support this bill, but I am disappointed with the way it is being brought to the floor and with the bill itself. I am disappointed that the Republican leadership has brought the bill before the House under a procedure that prohibits any amendments and allows for only a minimal time for discussion. I also am disappointed with the way the bill has been drafted. Parts of it are too narrow, so that only a few states would qualify for the proposed law-enforcement assistance. Other parts are too broad, so that the funds that would be provided to the states would not necessarily be used for better enforcement of gun laws. Instead, it could go for almost anything related to law enforcement or corrections. I think the House can and should do better than this. We can and should take time to fully discuss this bill and to consider amendments that could strengthen it so that it would come closer to living up to its title of the 'Project Exile: The Safe Streets and Neighborhood Act of 2000.' I strongly support the kind of increased enforcement that the bill's title tries to suggest would be the result of enacting this measure. In Colorado our United States Attorney, Tom Strickland, is working in cooperation with state and local law-enforcement officials, for that kind of increased enforcement. I want to do all I can to help that important initiative--so, while this bill is not everything that I think it could and should be, I will support it.”