Congressman Charles Bass

November 3, 2011

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) supported a move in the House of Representatives today to request a conference committee on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill, which contains funding for the Berlin Prison – another step closer in getting the prison opened.

Bass said:

"For too long, the new federal prison in Berlin has sat vacant, awaiting the federal funding necessary to open. While we must make tough decisions about our spending priorities, it simply doesn't make sense to waste taxpayer money by having a brand-new prison sit empty.

"I'm encouraged that this appropriations bill is moving forward, and I will continue to work with my colleagues and the rest of the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation to see that the Berlin Prison is open and operational as soon as possible. This facility is too important to the economic fabric of the North Country."

Earlier this summer, the House Appropriations Committee passed the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill with language, which Bass advocated for, to prioritize funding for federal prisons that have been constructed but not yet activated, such as the Berlin Prison. The Senate followed suit and included similar language in its version of the appropriations bill, which passed the Senate earlier this week. The House and Senate must now meet in a conference committee to work out the differences between their respective bills.

Bass will continue to work with his colleagues to ensure the final conference report includes the prioritization language, which is important to opening the Berlin Prison.

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