House Budget Committee member, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz today helped lead the fight to pass a 2009 federal budget that restored funding to critical law enforcement initiatives that were totally eliminated in President Bush’s budget. In particular, Schwartz fought back against President Bush’s having cut $599 million from the COPS program, which has been one of the most successful law enforcement initiatives ever in the United States. 

Congresswoman Schwartz:

“President Bush is dead wrong to cut funding for the COPS program. This initiative has put over 117,000 police officers on streets across America, including thousands of cops in Pennsylvania.  Eliminating the COPS program is the last thing we should be doing - instead we need to invest in hiring more police officers and doing everything we can to keep American cities, such as Philadelphia, as safe as possible.”

In part due to Congresswoman Schwartz’s efforts, the House Budget Committee passed a fiscal year 2009 budget resolution that restored funding to the COPS program and other key law enforcement efforts. 

Schwartz has been outspoken on the need for additional federal support to help fight crime in Philadelphia. She has worked actively with Senator Bob Casey and Mayor Michael Nutter to raise awareness of the critical importance of the COPS program to Philadelphia.

Details:

Upload availability – today, Thursday, March 6, 2008, 4:00 – 4:05 Eastern

Galaxy 25
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