Steven Schiff: “the largest single program scheduled for termination by the President's budget is the Department of Justice's formula…”

“the largest single program scheduled for termination by the President's budget is the Department of Justice's formula grant programs that provide aid to State and local law enforcement agencies. The administration's defense of this proposed termination is the expectation that in the crime bill the Congress is considering these funds will be replaced. Now here is the problem with that kind of reasoning: First, what if we do not pass a crime bill? We have been working on it for 3 years. Second, assuming we do pass a crime bill, will the funds be sufficient to replace the funds that are being lost in today's budget that exists today? And even if the funds are sufficient, will they be there in time to avoid a gap being created in the providing of these vital funds to State and local law enforcement agencies? But even if the funds are going to be replaced in the crime bill, Mr. Speaker, I suggest that this is still not a valid policy because it sends a mixed message.”