Byron Dorgan: “Let me say my colleague from Oklahoma talked about the COPS Program--which, incidentally, has been a remarkable program.…”

“Let me say my colleague from Oklahoma talked about the COPS Program--which, incidentally, has been a remarkable program. It has worked very well to reduce crime. He did not mention, for example, the Byrne grant program which today is aiding law enforcement in tracking drug dealers, dealing with this methamphetamine scourge. My colleague from Oklahoma described a new grant program that the Administration is proposing, but this new grant program my colleague described is going to cut funding for local law enforcement officials by $1.1 billion. That is why I felt constrained to come and offer the amendment. It is about choices. If one feels the assistance we have given local law enforcement through the Byrne grant program and other programs has not been effective, then one would want to oppose this amendment. But if you meet with our law enforcement officers at the state and local level, they will tell you to a person how incredibly effective these programs have been in bringing them up to speed with training and equipment and helping them pursue drug dealers and reduce crime on the streets. If one believes that is important, then one must vote for this amendment.”