Kennedy Successful in Securing Byrne Grant Funding
Bush Administration proposed elimination; Kennedy again led effort to fund anti-drug program

	Mark speaks to police officers at the MN Police & Peace Officers Association's Leg. Conference

St. Paul, Minnesota, Apr 4 - Congressman Mark Kennedy won a big victory today for local law enforcement officers in their battle against drugs by securing $900 million for the Byrne Justice Assistant Grants program in the 2007 House budget. Earlier this year, the Bush administration again targeted the anti-drug program for elimination. Kennedy, for the second year in a row, led the effort in the U.S. House opposing the administration and supporting Byrne Grant funding.

“Funding Byrne Grants is critical to providing local law enforcement officers with the resources, training and equipment necessary to combat drugs in our communities,” said Mark Kennedy. “I have been pleased to lead the effort opposing the Bush administration’s proposed elimination of Byrne Grants. The inclusion of $900 million in the budget to fund this program is a real success.”

In February, testifying before the U.S. House Budget Committee, Kennedy requested funding for the Byrne-JAG Grant program at $900 million, the highest level ever funded. Last year, Kennedy authored a bipartisan letter with Representative Lee Terry (R – NE) seeking funding for Byrne-JAG Grants at $900 million.

“When crime rates are increasing in Minneapolis, but declining nationwide, we especially need to fund key crime programs in Minnesota, and I will continue to be a forceful advocate on behalf of Byrne Grants and other key anti-crime programs,” added Kennedy. “Making our communities safer and providing local law enforcement with the tools they need has been, and will continue to be, a top priority for me.”

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