In case you missed it, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted to pass an FY24 government funding bill that prevents a costly government shutdown.

In the FY24 government funding bill, Dr. Cuellar championed provisions that support local South Texas law enforcement by ensuring they have the resources to do their jobs well.

“I was pleased to vote for a government funding bill that prioritizes and supports law enforcement officers across the country,” said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I have two brothers who currently serve as peace officers in Texas. I am aware of the funding challenges many local law enforcement agencies face, especially those in rural areas. This bill makes meaningful investments in federal initiatives like the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program and Operation Stonegarden, which are crucial in keeping South Texas communities safe. In Congress, I will always stand with the men and women in blue.”

Specifically, Dr. Cuellar helped:

• Increase coordination and initiatives within the Department of Homeland Security to counter and combat the rise in retail crime across the country
  
• Secure $81 million for Operation Stonegarden, which provides federal funding that allows local law enforcement to carry out the necessary operations to enhance security along our southern border
  
• Secure $664.5 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, which provides federal funding to assist local law enforcement agencies with hiring additional law enforcement officers to ensure effective community policin
  
• Secure $2.48 billion, an increase of $58.2 million for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance at the Department of Justice, which assists local law enforcement agencies with training and technical assistance, research, and support for victims of crime
  
• Secure $713 million, an increase of $13 million for the Violence Against Women Act Grants, which aim to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by strengthening services to victims and holding offenders accountable
  
• Secure over $924 million for Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, which provides states and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a wide range of program areas, including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives and mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams

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