Tom Harkin: “the omnibus bill that is before us virtually eliminates the Byrne law enforcement grant program. This amendment restores…”

“the omnibus bill that is before us virtually eliminates the Byrne law enforcement grant program. This amendment restores the funding to $500 million to the fiscal year 2002 level. There is no increase, but this at least holds it harmless. On each Senator's desk is a table of how much each State's law enforcement would lose without the Byrne grant. These grants go directly to State and local law enforcement. It pays for regional drug task forces, technology, forensics, prevention, and other valuable antidrug efforts in local communities. I have heard from the National Sheriffs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the National Governors' Association, who have voiced strong support for this amendment. At this crucial time in our history, we cannot afford to reduce the effectiveness of our Nation's law enforcement agencies. I received a letter this morning from the head of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Larry Welch. I do not know him personally. He said: Elimination of Byrne funding would be absolutely devastating to Kansas law enforcement. Mr. President, this amendment is needed by local law enforcement all over the United States, and I hope we adopt it overwhelmingly.”