Lawmakers Urge Robust Funding for Law Enforcement Ahead of Government Funding Deadline

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) have sent a letter to House and Senate Democratic Leadership, urging them to prioritize robust funding for law enforcement agencies in the upcoming government funding negotiations. As the September 30th funding deadline approaches, the Representatives stress the importance of including critical resources for public safety and state and local law enforcement agencies in any bipartisan package to keep the federal government operational.

As Members of the Democratic Caucus, Gillen and Davis are proud to stand up for local law enforcement agencies and invest in the public safety of their communities. They call on Democratic Leadership to demand a full restoration of the FY2025 Office of Justice Programs (OJP) grant funding that was cancelled by the Department of Justice. The Representatives also emphasize the need for robust funding of key OJP programs, including the Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) grant, which provides critical support to state and local law enforcement agencies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) have sent a letter to House and Senate Democratic Leadership urging them to prioritize robust funding for law enforcement agencies in the upcoming government funding negotiations.
  • The Representatives stress the importance of including critical resources for public safety and state and local law enforcement agencies in any bipartisan package to keep the federal government operational.
  • They call on Democratic Leadership to demand a full restoration of the FY2025 Office of Justice Programs (OJP) grant funding cancelled by the Department of Justice.
  • The letter highlights the importance of 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 in supporting state and local law enforcement agencies.
  • Gillen and Davis say that passing a short- or long-term deal to fund the government without this funding would pose a serious and unacceptable threat to public safety.
  • They urge Democratic Leadership 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.

Statistics:

  • The FY2025 Office of Justice Programs (OJP) grant funding cancelled by the Department of Justice.
  • The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program relies on federal grant funding to support state and local law enforcement agencies.
  • Over the past 40 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.

Sources:

  • The letter sent by Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) to House and Senate Democratic Leadership.