(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris (WA-05) today voted for H.R. 5672, the Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 07. This legislation provides funding for important agencies and programs to help secure our borders, keep our communities safe, support small businesses, and increase scientific research.

Local projects that received language in the bill include Spokane County Anti Meth, Spokane Police Department for Law Enforcement Technology, and the Washington State University Meth Research Center. As part of her continued effort to keep our nation and communities safe, McMorris will participate next week in a tour of the Northern Border and hold a roundtable on securing our borders and eliminating drug and human trafficking.

“The local projects recognized in this bill are pivotal in keeping Eastern Washington safe,” said McMorris. “I am committed to winning the war on meth and will continue to work with local programs and law enforcement that share the goal of eliminating this deadly drug from our communities. In addition, this legislation will also have an economic benefit by providing record funding for small business loans and promoting scientific research to increase U.S. competitiveness.”

Highlights of the bill include:

• $1.75 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration to fight meth abuse and drug-related violence and strengthen intelligence capabilities;
• $635 million for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG grants) program;
• $1.1 billion for a State Department border security program to catch fraudulent visas using advanced technological equipment;
• $6.0 billion for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide for counterterrorism infrastructure needs and combat crimes like gang violence and child exploitation;
• $643 million for the Small Business Administration, including record funding for loans to American entrepreneurs; and
• $16.7 billion for NASA to fund space exploration, space science, and aeronautics research.