H.R. 4999 - Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Act of 2000
(Reps. McCollum (R) Florida and Fletcher (R) Kentucky)
While the Administration does not oppose authorization of the Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG), we strongly oppose the authorization level
of $2 billion per year for five years contained in H.R. 4999. At this
level, the LLEBG that would be authorized by H.R. 4999 would seriously
jeopardize targeted, proven programs already agreed to by Congress and the
Administration. The Administration believes that the first order of
business should be to reauthorize the President's Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS) Program to fund up to 50,000 more police for our
nation's streets, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and other programs
proposed in the Administration's 21st Century Law Enforcement and Public
Safety Act. These programs have helped communities cut the crime rate to a
25-year low and should be reauthorized without further delay.