Jim Baird: “I rise today on behalf of local communities in my State and throughout this country that are fighting a terrible battle…”

“I rise today on behalf of local communities in my State and throughout this country that are fighting a terrible battle against methamphetamine, its production and use. And I rise to express grave concern about the impact of our President's budget proposal on that fight. Let me share with you some troubling figures. The President of the United States has proposed to cut COPS funding by $376 million, he has proposed to cut the Meth Hot Spots program by $23.5 million, the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program by $353 million, and he has proposed to completely eliminate Byrne grants. Now, I can tell you that when I go back home and I talk to my sheriffs and police officers and treatment specialists, they tell me meth is a catastrophe in our communities and we must fight it. Regrettably, this President's budget cuts the funds we need to prevail in that fight. We need to restore those funds, and we need to emphasize to this administration that we have terrorists operating right here at home in our communities, and methamphetamine is their weapon of choice. ____________________”