Today, Rep. Henry Cuellar voted in favor of the passage of H.R. 3093, the FY 2008 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Bill, which includes a $3.6 million funding provision requested by Rep. John Culberson of Houston, and supported by Congressman Cuellar, to help Texas border sheriffs crack down on criminal elements and activities.

Rep. Culberson’s provision will make the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition eligible to receive $3.6 million. If the provision is included in the final version of the bill, the $3.6 million will be divided according to need among sheriff’s departments that are members of the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition and that apply for funds from the organization.

“This is great news for Hidalgo, Starr, Webb, and Zapata counties. It’s evident that Members of Congress in Washington are aware of the need for more funding in this part of the country,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I applaud their efforts in helping the Texas Sheriff’s Border Coalition combat crime in this region. These funds will have a tremendous impact among communities throughout the border region, including four of the counties I represent.”

"Congressman Henry Cuellar is a tireless advocate for our Texas Border Sheriffs and I deeply appreciate his strong support for securing these $3.6 million,” said Congressman Culberson.

Other key provisions in the Law Enforcement/Justice Department section of the FY 2008 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Bill include:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation: Provides funding to fill an additional 391 positions
• Drug Enforcement Administration: Provides funding to assist with the removal and disposal of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in the southwest border
• Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): Includes funding to restart the hiring process for the (COPS) program and for the purchase of bulletproof vests and for the creation of anti-gang initiatives
• U.S. Attorney’s Office: Funds additional positions for child exploitation and obscenity investigations and for gang-related prosecution
• Additional funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Includes funding for victims of slave and sex trafficking
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• Southwest Border Prosecutors: Includes funding for the handling and processing of drug and alien cases referred from federal arrests along the southwest border
• Drug Courts: Provides state, local and tribal governments with grants, technical support, and training to create dedicated drug courts for non-violent offenders and develop an integrated mix of treatment, drug testing, incentives and sanctions
• State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP): Will assist state and local governments with the costs of jailing undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes not related to their immigration status
• Violence Against Women Office: Provides funding for the arrests in domestic violence cases and for prosecuting cases involving violence against women

The bill will now go to the Senate for approval.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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