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The conference report provides $21.1 billion for the Department of Justice, including $3.3 billion for the FBI, $1.3 billion for the DEA, $4.8 billion for INS, $4.3 billion for BOP, and $4.6 billion for the Office of Justice Programs. This conference report funds both block grant programs--such as Byrne, local law enforcement, and juvenile justice--and the COPS Program--such as the universal hiring and technology components. Our colleagues in the Senate
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In an effort to continue the decline in serious crime, we continue to fund many of the programs that are working. Not only are we funding cops on the beat, we also continue the safe schools initiative which Senator GREGG and I started two years ago. This bill provides $227.5 million for this initiative. Madam President, we cannot allow violence or the threat of violence to turn our schools into a hostile setting that prevents our students from obtaining the education they deserve. The bill before the Senate provides increased funding from last year's levels, through the Office of Justice programs, to continue the hiring of school resource officers, and the implementation of community-based planning and prevention activities. This initiative is working but there is much more that has to be done, and this increased funding will continue our efforts to return our schools to a safe place for children to learn.
I am pleased to see in this year's conference report $1.3 billion funding for the DEA, which is a $69.45 million increase from last year's level. This funding is aimed at combating the latest battle in the war on drugs--methamphetamines. Included in the DEA fundings is $25.9 million for personnel and operations to combat the production and use of methamphetamines. Also included in the bill is $28.5 million for State and local law enforcement to combat methamphetamine production and $2.5 million for equipment. Another $20.0 million will be transferred from the COPS Hot Spots Program to reimburse the agency for the costs associated with assisting State and local law enforcement in meth lab cleanup.
The conference report also includes $288.7 million for the violence against women program, which includes $31.6 million for civil legal assistance , $25 million for rural domestic violence programs, $11.5 million for court appointed special advocates, and $11.0 million for college campus programs.
There is one issue within the Department of Justice for which I am disappointed we did not provide funding--the Justice Department's Lawsuit against the Tobacco industry. I appreciate Senator GREGG's effort to reach a middle ground between those members who want to prevent DOJ from bringing a lawsuit, and those who want to provide DOJ with adequate resources to do their job. It is the U.S. court's responsibility to weigh the evidence and decide whether the tobacco companies have broken the law, not Congress's responsibility. In fact, just recently, the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia rules that DOJ does have standing to bring a suit against the tobacco companies under the RICO (racketeering, influence, and corrupt organizations) Act. It is Congress's
responsibility to provide the Justice Department with the tools and adequate resources it needs to do its job. This conference report does not do that.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The conference report provides $4.7 billion for the Commerce Department, an increase of $460 million above last year's funding level. We provide $337.4 million for ITA, and while we could not fully fund all of the President's request for this important administration, we did provide funding for the trade compliance initiatives. I also appreciate Senator GREGG's support for language requiring the USTR to assist the Import Administration with office space in Geneva given the importance of the Import Administration's responsibilities relating to antidumping and countervailing duties.
While we did not fully fund the administration's new internet access initiatives for NTIA, we did provide more than $100 million in funding for the NTIA to continue its core missions--funding for digital conversion, and funding for infrastructure grants.
Regarding technology, the bill includes $312.6 million for NIST scientific and technical research and services. Under NIST, the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) is funded at a program level of $190.7 million, and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program is funded at $105.1 million.
The conference report also provides $3.1 billion for NOAA, more than $700 million above last year's level, and $850 million above the House level for FY 2001. I appreciate Chairman GREGG's support and efforts to insure that we maintain a focus on our oceans and coast. I have made it clear this year that I am disappointed in the administration's request for NOAA. Most of the funding increases requested this year were for community assistance type programs--making NOAA a mini-EDA--and not the science and research missions that have been NOAA's trademark during the past three decades. The budget request was particularly disappointing given the one hundred plus lawsuits currently pending against NOAA due to a lack of scientific data.
Madam President, at present, we generate more than 30% of our gross domestic product from coastal areas, and nearly one out of every six jobs is marine-related. By the end of this decade, about 60% of Americans will live along our coasts. We cannot ignore the stress and strain of this growth on our coastal e nvironment, and we must continue to strive for better management of our marine resources. Of course, these efforts are nothing new. Three decades ago, our nation roared into space, investing tens of billions of dollars in that effort. During that golden era of science, some of us also recognized the importance of exploring the seas and protecting the coasts on our own planet. In 1966, Congress enacted the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act in order to define national objectives and programs with respect to the oceans. One of the central elements of the 1966 act was establishment of a Presidential commission, called the Stratton Commission, to develop a plan for national action in the oceans and atmosphere. The Stratton Commission laid the foundation for U.S. ocean and coastal p olicy and programs and has guided their development for three decades. Their report led to the creation of NOAA and laid the groundwork for science and research and for management regimes that are the cornerstone of our efforts to properly manage our fisheries, and protect our coasts today. This conference report fully funds all of NOAA's base science and research missions.
FY 2001 funding for NOAA also includes additional funds for coastal c onservation reflecting this year's coastal f unding proposals in Congress (``CARA'') and the administration's budget (``lands legacy''). The $420 million in increased funding includes $135 million for specific conservation projects and $135 million to strengthen NOAA's efforts to conserve and protect our coral reefs, national marine sanctuaries and reserves, as well as fisheries and coastal h abitats. This $135 million infusion of funding in the coming year will greatly benefit NOAA's important coastal s tewardship programs throughout the Nation. The increased coastal f unding also includes $150 million to assist those States whose coastal a reas are adversely affected by offshore oil development.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The conference report includes a total of $7.1 billion for the Department of State and related agencies, an increase of $1.3 billion above last year's funding level of $5.8 billion. Within the State Department account, $1.1 billion has been provided for worldwide security upgrades of State Department facilities. Additionally, the bill provides $846 million to continue our Nation's international peacekeeping activities.
SUMMARY
In closing let me say again that except for a one or two major policy issues this is a decent bill. Many--but not all--of the administration's priorities were addressed to some extent. Likewise many--but not all--of the priorities of our colleagues were addressed to some extent. It is with regret that I cannot support this bill at this time. I cannot support an effort that starts down the slippery slope of the U.S. Congress telling the Department of Justice who they can and cannot sue. It is my hope that this issue will be corrected should this conference report pass the Senate and be vetoed by the President.
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I would like to take a moment before closing to acknowledge and thank Senator Gregg's staff--Jim Morhard, Kevin Linskey, Paddy Link, Dana Quam, Clayton Heil, and Katherine Hennesey--and my staff--Lila Helms and Sonia King--for their hard work and diligence in bringing together a bill that does everything I have just mentioned and more. They have worked nonstop in a straightforward and bipartisan manner, to deliver the bill that is before the Senate today. This bill could not have come together without their efforts and I thank them for all of their hard work.
Mr. GREGG. Madam President, I want to speak about the appropriations agreement for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2001. This bill is part of the D.C. Appropriations bill and I thank the Senator from Texas for her help on this matter and everyone else on the subcommittee.
I cannot tell you how hard we have tried to work with OMB and the White House on this bill. I find it hard to believe that they want to veto the bill based on what is in here. The main issue they have difficulty with is on immigration and it was never requested by the President and is not an appropriations matter.
This bill does include $38.0 billion for these agencies. I believe the funding levels in this bill will allow the departments and agencies funded by it to fulfill their mandates.
The first title in this bill is the Department of Justice. We provide $21 billion, an increase over last year's level. Within Justice, there are a number of issues that stand out.
This bill provides comprehensive counter drug funding. It is our goal to provide the resources to protect our communities from the violence associated with illegal drugs. One of the most prevalent concerns in this area is the production of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has reported an increase in clandestine lab seizures nationwide. In 1997, 3,327 labs were seized by Federal, State, and local law enforcement. By 1999, that number had escalated to 7,060.
Although the number of clandestine methamphetamine labs has almost doubled since 1997, the President included no funding to combat methamphetamine production, trafficking, and use in his FY 2001 budget request. We remedy that mistake here.
Our recommendation includes a total of $76.9 million for methamphetamine initiatives. We provide $25.9 million for investigations and day to day operations on methamphetamine cases, including maintaining a database of labs around the country.
Since the bi-products from methamphetamine production are hazardous, explosions or fires often result and specially equipped teams are sent in to clean-up the lab sites. We provide $20 million to the DEA through the COPS Methamphetamine Drug Hot Spots Program for clean-up activities. We have also made available for State and local law enforcement agencies $28.5 million for their methamphetamine enforcement and cleanup efforts.
Of course, methamphetamines are not the only problem. We provide $28.8 million to DEA for its heroin-related efforts. Because drug traffickers are highly adaptive, we must have the ability to respond where ``hot spots'' arise. The bill provides $24.2 million for Regional Drug Enforcement Teams and $53.9 million for Mobile Enforcement Teams.
To aid those communities that have suffered because of the presence of drug dealers, we provide $34.0 million in direct funding for the Weed and Seed program. This program distributes grant funding to qualified neighborhoods so that they can weed out criminals in their communities while seeding new prevention and intervention services to help revitalize the neighborhood.
The drug problem in the United States is so pervasive that over 480 drug courts have evolved to handle these particular cases. This bill includes $50.0 million through the Office of Justice Programs for drug courts; additional funding can be obtained through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants or the Juvenile Accountability Block Grants.
Moving on to another important program in this bill, we continue the Safe Schools Initiative. This initiative was one the Ranking Member and I sponsored in 1999 just after the Columbine massacre. For fiscal year 2001, we provide a total of $227.5 million for State school programs with $180.0 million for school resource officers and $15.0 million for school technology. This program gives school administrators resources to enhance safety measures. It grants them the flexibility to implement decisions on how best to maintain a safe learning environment without impacting funding for educational programs.
The final agreement contains funding for after-school youth programs. A leader in this category is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. For this reason, $60.0 million is available for their programs.
Additionally, Juvenile Mentoring Programs, JUMP, receive $16.0 million. These programs, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, foster healthy relationships between at risk youth and responsible adults.
The next item is of particular interest to me. The Missing Children program is one that continues to show positive results, and is funded at a level of $23.0 million. Within this amount, $6.5 million is provided for investigative cyber units for State and local law enforcement agencies and $11.4 million for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
One of the Center's most valuable resources is the Cyber TipLine, which allows individuals to report information about missing children on-line. Information reported to the Center is compiled and made accessible to law enforcement officers all over the continent. The Center dedicates significant resources to preventing and responding to incidents of cyber stalking. Overall, this bill includes more than $830.0 million for juvenile programs through the Office of Justice programs, the juvenile justice budget, and the COPS program.
Our dedication to communities and families is also captured in our support of the Violence Against Women Act programs, which address domestic violence and its effects. For fiscal year 2001, we fund the program at $288.7 million. This includes funding for legal assistance, rural domestic violence initiatives, and court-appointed-special advocates.
At my request, this bill also recommends $11.0 million for grants to address violence on college campuses. Grantees use these funds to expand defense classes; to make capital improvements, such as installing emergency phones and improving lighting on campuses; and to train campus administrators and students on how to deal with violence and its after effects.
On a related topic, the conference agreement directs the Center for Sex Offender Management to develop a system through which local law enforcement can notify communities when a sex offender has been released and is living nearby.
Law enforcement is Justice's primary mission, and there are several key components. The U.S. Marshals are responsible for protecting our Federal judges and courthouses, for serving legal papers in Federal cases, and for recapturing fugitives. The $604.3 million recommended for the Marshals provides funds for new initiatives to apprehend the most dangerous fugitives; outfit and man new courthouses; and reduce the backlog of security upgrades at old courthouses.
The recommendation provides $4.6 billion for the Immigration & Naturalization Service, INS; $1.5 billion of this is derived from fees. The amount provided improves our posture on the border, expands efforts to apprehend illegal aliens in the interior, increases resources for naturalization backlog reduction, and begins to tackle the nationwide backlog on INS construction, maintenance, and repair.
An appropriation of $3.2 billion is dedicated to the FBI. This includes $67.5 million for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, NICS, used by gun dealers to prevent the sale of weapons to individuals who are prohibited from owning a gun. We have reiterated the Senate recommendation that no fees be charged to conduct these checks.
The FBI Crime Lab is famous for its forensic capabilities, and many States rely on its scientific expertise. The bill provides $137.3 million for forensic services within the Bureau.
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DNA testing is just one example of an important emerging forensic science. The FBI reported a 15 percent increase in the number of cases aided this year by having DNA profiles
available in a national database. Our recommendation includes $1.4 million for the National Offender Database, which stores the DNA profiles of convicted criminals.
The Internet has created numerous social and economic benefits in the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, it is also an efficient medium by which crimes can be committed.
The conference agreement includes an increase to $3.9 million for the FBI's Computer Analysis and Response Teams and $30.5 million for its digital storm program. In addition, we continue funding levels for the Field Computer Crime Intrusion Squads, which are highly trained computer experts available on demand to field offices. Finally, $5.5 million is recommended for the Special Technologies Applications Unit of the National Infrastructure Protection Center, a clearinghouse for Federal cases dealing with cyber crime.
We aggressively fund State and local law enforcement assistance, providing $2.8 billion.
COPS is funded at $1.03 billion. A large portion of this amount is for hiring initiatives. This high level of funding also allows law enforcement agencies to upgrade technology. For programs funded under the Crime Identification Technology Act, $130.0 million is available. There is an additional $140.0 million for non-CITA technology needs.
In order to get this bill passed without a veto, we have also provided $25.0 million for community prosecutors and $75.0 million for gun prosecutions. The agreement limited these funds to prosecutions of individuals who committed crimes with firearms.
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