Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013

Floor Speech

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5326, which makes appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. Although the bill provides adequate funding levels for many programs that I support, they are far outweighed by the unpalatable provisions in the bill. That is why I will vote no on final passage.

Let me list some of the more objectionable provisions of this bill.

Department of Commerce
The bill reduces funding by $93 million for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). I also oppose the $92 million reduction from the President's FY 2013 Budget request for the Census Bureau. A cut of this magnitude threatens the Bureau's ability to implement Economic Census data collection activities that peak in FY 2013, hindering the successful development of critical benchmarks for Gross Domestic Product estimates.

Department of Justice
I strongly oppose the level of funding provided in the bill as reported by the Committee for the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Grants Program, which is $217 million below the President's FY 2013 Budget request. This reduced funding level would result in the loss of approximately 1,200 police hires/rehires, including veterans. Inaddition, some communities seriously impacted by crime would not be able to support enough police officers to effectively respond.

The Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program offers local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement access to intelligence databases, investigative support and research, equipment loans, training and publications, and field staff support, among other services. RISS is a proven, trusted and cost-effective program that has contributed to 52,350 arrests and yielded $857 million in narcotics, property and case seizures. This represents a 223 percent return on federal investment. Today, state and local law enforcement agencies are experiencing reductions in funding and resources and are turning to RISS to cope. Nevertheless, RISS funding was severely decreased from $45 million in FY2o11 to $27 million in FY2012 and a recommended $27 million in FY2013. I requested an additional $18 million for this program to return funding back to $45 million.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) is to reimburse municipalities for the costs incurred incarcerating undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes. This program is vitally important to my home state of California. In 2009, California received $159 million in SCAAP funds, representing over 40 Percent of the funds allocated nationwide. These funds are an important contribution towards California's cost of incarcerating undocumented immigrants, which is over $1 billion annually. The Committee recommended federal funding for SCAAP at $165 million, which is a cut from FY2012 levels by $75 million and which falls below my request by $785 million.Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
I also believe strongly that the Committee's funding level for EEOC, which is $7 million less than the FY 2013 Budget request is inadequate. As the Administration points out in its Statement of Administration Policy, funding at this level would prevent EEOC from filling critical investigator positions lost through attrition, which would increase EEOC's backlog and weaken its ability to enforce Federal laws that protect individuals from discrimination based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.Legal Services Corporation (LSC)

I also strongly oppose the level of funding provided in the bill for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which is $74 million below the FY 2013 Budget request. At this funding level, tens of thousands of low-income Americans, including many military families and veterans, would be denied assistance with civil legal problems, impacting their ability to receive fair treatment in the courts.

Now Mr. Speaker, as a representative of the 37th Congressional District of California, I understand the importance of supporting emerging businesses and manufacturers. 30,000 of my constituents are employed in the manufacturing sector, and nearly 45 percent of all U.S. imports travel through the district's neighborhoods. The 37th district also includes three universities and five medical facilities, all of which benefit from funding directed at science and research.

The programs covered in this bill have a direct impact on lives across the country, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that commercial, legal and research facilities in my district are able to continue their important work. I would note briefly the provisions in the bill as amended that I do support:

1. U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA): The EDA is the only federal agency focused on private sector job creation. It provides infrastructure grants, strategic planning assistance, business development capital, and technical assistance in economically distressed areas. The Committee approved funding at $219.5 million, or 92.2 percent of my funding request.

2. Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program: MEP is the only public-private program dedicated to providing technical support to small and medium sized manufacturers to improve efficiency, productivity and profitability. In FY2009 alone, MEP projects created or retained 52,948 jobs, generated more than $9.1 billion in sales and provided cost savings of more than $1.41 billion. The Committee met my request for funding at $128 million.

3. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): MBDA works to foster the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned U.S. businesses. Minority firms currently provide nearly 5.8 million jobs but have the potential to create 17.5 million jobs, leading to stronger communities and a bolstered economy. The Committee designated $28,689,000 for the agency, 94.2 percent of my request.

4. Department of Justice Youth Mentoring Grants: This account is the sole remaining source of federal funding to support mentoring for at-risk youth. The account provides grants to non-profit organizations that reduce youth interaction with the juvenile justice system, which proves to be a cost-effective method for reducing the likeliness of drug and alcohol use while improving academic performance and family relations. The Committee exceeded my request and FY2012 funding by allocating $90 million.

5. National Science Foundation (NSF): This funding will allow NSF and universities to sustain and expand their vital research and education programs, which range from improving science education to developing multimedia technologies to improve telemedicine. This significant investment will support technological advancement here at home and properly train the country's next generation of scientists and engineers. Funding for FY2013 is $7.3 billion, which is 97 percent of my request.

6. Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Formula Grant Program: As the cornerstone of VAWA, STOP awards funds to every state and territory to create and sustain coordinated community responses and trainings for law enforcement, prosecutors, judicial personnel, and victim advocates. This coordinated response has been proven effective in helping hundreds of thousands of victims find safety and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions. The Committee recommends funding at $189 million, 92.2 percent of my request.

7. VAWA Transitional Housing Assistance Grants Program: After fleeing dangerous and abusive situations, survivors must rebuild their shattered lives. The VAWA Transitional Housing Program provides an essential continuum between emergency shelter and independent living, helping victims move from crisis to stability. The Committee met my funding request of $25 million.

8. Victims of Trafficking Grant Program: There are currently 40 task forces nationwide that integrate federal, state and local law enforcement with prosecutorial and victim service organizations to prevent and prosecute human trafficking and to protect the victims of trafficking and slavery. I supported the continuation of this task force program, and the Committee has set funding at $13.5 million, 90 percent of my request.

9. Community Relations Services: CRS provides resources and tools to address community conflicts that arise from racial and ethnic tensions. The Committee recommended $11,456,000 for these services, or 95.1 percent of my request.

10. Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms: The TAAF program is the only trade adjustment assistance program that works with economically distressed U.S. manufacturers impacted by international trade agreements, offering technical assistance to help them remain employers in their communities. Its continuation is critical to the sustainability and growth of domestic manufacturing, and the Committee met my request of $15.8 million.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the decision of the Appropriations Committee to fund the programs I have described at a level consistent with my requests and want to express my thanks to Chairman Wolf and Ranking Member Fattah for their responsiveness. It is my hope that the more problematic provisions of the bill will be corrected as the process goes forward so that the final version of the bill can be signed by the president and worthy of my support.

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