Continuing his fight to keep crime off the streets of southern West Virginia, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) cast his vote Wednesday in support of a bill to reauthorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) Program, which funds crime prevention and criminal justice programs at the state and local level.

“Public safety is one of the most critical functions of the American government,” said Rahall. “Communities across southern West Virginia are strapped for funding and many are grappling with rising crime rates.  The Byrne-JAG Program provides much-needed support to these communities to help protect our families and children.” 

Although Congress authorized more than $1 billion in Byrne-JAG grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, only $520 million was appropriated last year. In FY 2008, the Byrne-JAG program was reduced to $170.4 million and President Bush has threatened deeper cuts for FY 2009. H.R. 3546, cosponsored by Congressman Rahall, will provide funding for the Byrne-JAG program through 2012 at 2006 levels. This bill is Rahall’s latest effort to protect and fully fund the Byrne-JAG program and its initiatives in southern West Virginia.