By Ed Somers
October 22, 2007

The Senate on October 15 approved an amendment to provide $110 million in COPS hiring grants in FY 2008. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (DE) and supported by Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Barbara Mikulski (MD), would begin the restoration of the COPS hiring program, which has received no funding in recent years.

Passage of the amendment is a victory for the Conference of Mayors, which is calling for full restoration of law enforcement programs as part of its 10-Point Plan. “I want to thank the Senate for supporting the nation’s mayors and law enforcement in our ongoing efforts to reduce crime and create safer cities. I sincerely hope that the President will sign this bill when it reaches his desk,” Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer said following the Senate action.

The House-passed funding bill for the Department of Justice contains $100 million for COPS hiring grants, so it is expected that at least that much will be contained in the final bill sent to the President.