Political Quotes

“what the substitute does and it has been discussed with the gentleman from New York [Mr. Schumer] and the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Schiff], is provide $10 million rather than $20 million for counterterrorism technology and take it out of the $20 million that is already available for technology programs under the local law enforcement block grant that is already in the bill. This is a sensible way to do it. Obviously there is a recognized need for this money. Both the fiscal year 1996 bill and this bill already include, as I said, a $20 million increase for National Institute of Justice programs from the local law enforcement block grant program. That is a 67-percent increase, by the way, for NIJ technology programs. As the gentleman is aware, this $20 million was an unexpected windfall for the NIJ as a result of the manner in which the law enforcement block grant formula was drafted. This money is available for a variety of technology initiatives, including terrorism-related technology. We ensure in this substitute by providing language, that $10 million of these funds will be used for terrorism. We will ensure that the money is available. Mr. Chairman, this substitute would provide that $10 million out of the $20 million that is available for technology programs from the local law enforcement block grant program will be available for counterterrorism. We agree to it and think it is a good idea.”