Hal Rogers: “I thank Chairman Culberson for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to announce my support of this bill. It…”

“I thank Chairman Culberson for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to announce my support of this bill. It contains $51.4 billion for effective, proven programs within the Departments of Justice and Commerce, as well as NASA and the National Science Foundation. Within that total, funding is targeted at programs that are vital to our economic development, our public safety, and national security. These important programs, overall, receive a boost of $1.3 billion over last year, allowing us to make critical investments in law enforcement, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and science and research activities. For example, the legislation increases funding for the Department of Justice by $852 million above last year's levels, enhancing the way we protect and secure communities across the Nation. That increase will provide the FBI with greater resources to fight terrorism and cyber crime. It will also allow the DEA to amplify activities, including $372 million to combat prescription drug abuse, what the CDC calls a national epidemic that is taking more lives than car wrecks. Funding is targeted to high-priority national grants with increases for violence against women programs and the Byrne JAG Program. The bill also creates a new community trust initiative that will help improve the safety of communities across the Nation and work to facilitate a supportive relationship between these local communities and the police.…”