This legislation waves the local match requirement for federal COPS grants and allows interested agencies to supplement their current sworn forces through three-year federal grants. Currently, there are law enforcement agencies all over the country who are being forced to turn back federal grants to hire additional law enforcement officers because they do not have the money to cover the local requirement.

During a time when our nation seems its most vulnerable and under its greatest threat, Congress must fulfill our responsibility to ensure that everyday Americans are safe and secure. We must defend our homes during these troubling times by investing in first responders and providing local law enforcement with adequate manpower and resources to prevent any future attacks.

H.R. 2943 has been forwarded to the House Committee on Judiciary. It is my hope that the bill will be approved quickly by the committee and forwarded to the House floor for a vote this fall.