Heitkamp Helps Secure Federal Funds in Congressional Spending Bill that could Help Reimburse ND for DAPL Law Enforcement Costs

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Heitkamp today announced that she successfully worked to include federal funds in the compromise congressional spending bill for a program that could enable the state of North Dakota to get reimbursed for some of the millions of dollars spent on law enforcement resources to keep all North Dakotans safe during the protests around the Dakota Access pipeline.

Heitkamp has been pushing congressional leadership and appropriators last Congress and this Congress to get more federal funds in the U.S. Department of Justice's Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program as there haven't been sufficient funds available in the program for several years. Once Congress passes the bill, the state of North Dakota will need to apply for the federal funds, which could help cover some of the law enforcement costs associated with the Dakota Access pipeline protests. The new congressional spending bill now includes $15 million for the program and it provides those federal funds for events in FY16 and FY17. Heitkamp will continue to press the administration and congressional leadership for more federal funds.

"It's very encouraging that North Dakota could finally be able to access federal funds to help pay for the more than $22 million in law enforcement costs North Dakota has incurred to help keep all North Dakotans safe during the protests around the Dakota Access pipeline, and I'm proud to have successfully pushed for these funds," said Heitkamp. "I hope the state applies for them and I'll do everything I can to help North Dakota receive them. We still have more to do, as these federal funds will not cover the entire cost. But it's a critical and needed step forward at a time when our state faces serious budget challenges."

"Senator Heitkamp has always been an advocate for North Dakota, and she has continued to push for federal funds to reimburse the state of the North Dakota for the law enforcement costs that helped keep North Dakotans and protesters safe during protests around the Dakota Access pipeline," said U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. "Senator Heitkamp pressed for these federal funds last year which Democrats agreed to, but unfortunately, Republicans blocked them. But now, we have reached a bipartisan compromise that will make sure North Dakota has a chance to apply for new federal funds that are now available. We appreciate Senator Heitkamp's commitment to make sure her state receives what it is owed."

"Thanks to Senator Heitkamp's efforts both this Congress and last Congress, this compromise spending bill includes critical federal funds for state and local law enforcement that could help reimburse the state of North Dakota for some of the millions of dollars in law enforcement costs associated with the protests around the Dakota Access pipeline," said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies -- the subcommittee in charge of the funds. "Last Congress, Senator Heitkamp came to the Committee to explain why it's so important the federal government help pay for these costs, and now North Dakota will have an opportunity to apply for these funds that are finally available."

The U.S. Department of Justice's Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program provides assistance to address extraordinary circumstances that have the potential to create serious threats to public safety. The number of eligible law enforcement emergencies is restricted to those situations in which state and local resources have been completely exhausted or are inadequate to deal with a law enforcement emergency.

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