The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment introduced by U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert to increase funding by $100 million to help local police departments meet hiring needs on Tuesday.
The funding boost is for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program as part of the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Bill.
The Republican representative for Washington state’s 8th Congressional District co-offered the amendment with Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, congresswoman for Washington’s 3rd District; Law Enforcement Caucus Co-Chair Bill Pascrell Jr, D-New Jersey, and Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pennsylvania.
“These Byrne grants provide vital support for law enforcement throughout Washington state — including Southwest Washington,” Herrera Beutler said in a prepared statement. “Byrne grants provide flexibility to address local needs. … This amendment will better equip law enforcement with the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
The Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Bill eliminates the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program, which provides local police agencies with federal grants for officer hiring and retention.
The amendment increasing the funds for the Byrne grant alleviates the impact of the cut, according to the release.
Reichert said the amendment for hiring funding is “critical.”
