WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) sent a letterto House and Senate Democratic Leadership urging them to make robust law enforcement funding a redline issue in any government funding negotiations ahead of the September 30th funding deadline:
"As we approach the government funding deadline, it is essential that any bipartisan package to keep the federal government open and operational includes critical resources that support public safety and state and local law enforcement agencies," Gillen and Davis wrote. "As Members of the Democratic Caucus, we are proud to stand up for our local law enforcement agencies and invest in the public safety of our communities by ensuring they have the resources and training they need to keep Americans safe."
The Representatives are calling on Democratic Leadership to demand that a full restoration of the FY2025 Office of Justice Programs (OJP) grant funding cancelled by DOJ be included in any bipartisan government funding package and for robust funding of several key OJP programs, including the Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) grant, that provide critical support to state and local law enforcement agencies.
"Police departments across the country rely on federal grant programs like the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program, the Byrne Justice Assistance (Byrne JAG) Program, the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program and the Body Worn Camera Grant Program to fight crime and protect our communities," Gillen and Davis continued. "Passing a short- or long-term deal to fund the government without this funding would pose a serious and unacceptable threat to public safety. As negotiations continue, Democrats must stand up for our law enforcement agencies and the safety of our communities, push to reverse cuts to public safety and ensure that programs that support state and local law enforcement are adequately funded."
The full text of the letter can be found HEREand below.
The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
House Democratic Leader
H-204, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
Senate Democratic Leader
S-221, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Leader Jeffries and Leader Schumer:
As we approach the government funding deadline, it is essential that any bipartisan package to keep the federal government open and operational includes critical resources that support public safety and state and local law enforcement agencies. Every day, brave law enforcement officers across the country put their lives on the line to keep our communities and loved ones safe.
Congressional Democrats must prioritize robust funding for law enforcement assistance
programs that help them do their jobs safely and effectively in any negotiations on a short- or long-term package to fund the government.
As Members of the Democratic Caucus, we are proud to stand up for our local law enforcement agencies and invest in the public safety of our communities by ensuring they have the resources and training they need to keep Americans safe. Police departments across the country rely on federal grant programs like the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program, the Byrne Justice Assistance (Byrne JAG) Program, the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program and the Body Worn Camera Grant Program to fight crime and protect our communities.
Over the past forty years, federal funding through the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has played a pivotal role in supporting law enforcement agencies. Grants through OJP help communities across the country reduce crime, assist victims, combat the substance abuse crisis and increase access to mental health resources.
Passing a short- or long-term deal to fund the government without this funding would pose a serious and unacceptable threat to public safety. As negotiations continue, Democrats must stand up for our law enforcement agencies and the safety of our communities, push to reverse cuts to public safety and ensure that programs that support state and local law enforcement are adequately funded. We urge you to prioritize and secure critical grant funding for law enforcement as part of a short- or long-term deal to fund the government past the September 30 deadline.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to working together to get this done.
Regards,
Laura A. Gillen
Member of Congress
Donald G. Davis
Member of Congress
