Hal Rogers: “Mr. Chairman, I am in opposition, of course, to the amendment; and I will insist upon the point of order. But before…”

“Mr. Chairman, I am in opposition, of course, to the amendment; and I will insist upon the point of order. But before doing so, let me correct a couple of pieces of information. Like all other State and local law enforcement grant programs, COPS in this bill is funded at the same level as the fiscal year 2000 bill was. Our bill provides $745 million, of which $595 million is direct appropriations, the same level as fiscal year 2000, and $150 million is unobligated balances. That level continues to fund the existing COPS programs, including $385 million for hiring cops and $360 million for continuation of the successful nonhiring technology and crime prevention programs. Our hiring number is within $30 million of the Administration's request after funding for all of the unauthorized and relaxed hiring provisions are withdrawn. We continue successful nonhiring programs such as bulletproof vests, COPS technologies and Crime Identification Technology Act grants, that is CITA, that is for DNA testing and the like, police courts and the methamphetamine cleanup program which is so important to so many Members of this body. Funding is not included, however, for new unauthorized and unproven programs, but COPS is funded at the same level as this year.”