from National Narcotic Officers' Association Coalition Newsletter

Byrne JAG reauth “hot lined” in Senate...

Senator Feinstein’s Byrne Justice Assistant Grant reauthorization was fast-tracked on Thursday in the Senate. Prodded by law enforcement groups including NNOAC, IACP, Sheriffs, and others, Sen. Feinstein’s staff worked with Judiciary Committee and leadership staff in the Senate to get approval for the bill. It passed on the floor by unanimous consent on Thursday afternoon. The bill extends the JAG authorization through 2012 at $1.1 billion, which is what law enforcement, prevention, treatment, and other groups have been advocating actively for over the past three years.

It now must pass the House, and we expect many of these groups that have acted as a coalition over the past two years to push together for passage in the House. The House could be a tougher sell, given the active opposition to the JAG program – as currently administered – by many Democrats and a few Republicans. Specifically, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, a member of the Judiciary Committee that has to approve the bill, wants tougher evidence standards adopted in exchange for funding received through JAG. Deals could be cut to build support, but don’t expect an easy journey.