Rep. Lofgren Votes to Reauthorize COPS Program
Bill Would Allow for the Hiring of 50,000 Additional Police Officers
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today voted in favor of H.R. 1700, the COPS Reauthorization Act. The bill will allow local law enforcement agencies to hire an additional 50,000 police officers over the next six years by authorizing $600 million a year for COPS hiring grants. The bill also authorizes $350 million a year for COPS technology grants, and $200 million a year for hiring community prosecutors.
“This reauthorization reverses the short-sighted funding cuts of previous Republican-led Congresses,” noted Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “A recent study by the Police Executive Research Forum found that violent crimes rose by double digit percentages over the last two years. This rise in crime rates corresponds to cuts in the COPS program. This new Congress realizes the importance of federal funds in supporting state and local law enforcement. This bill will once again give our state and local law enforcement agencies the tools and resources they need to protect our communities. By restarting the COPS program, this Congress has once again demonstrated its commitment to programs that help all Americans.”
The legislation has been endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her seventh term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She also Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.
