Appropriators eye local law enforcement, NASA funding

House appropriators on Wednesday revealed that they are targeting local law enforcement grants and activities in outer space for deep cuts next year.
 
The Appropriations Committee unveiled its 2102 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill ahead of a subcommittee markup on Thursday. The House is proceeding with the appropriations process even though Congress and the White House have yet to agree on an overall 2012 spending level.
 
The bill provides $50.2 billion in funding, a cut of $3.1 billion below current levels and $7.4 billion below President Obama’s budget request. The bill’s funding is below 2008 spending levels.
 
The bill slashes Justice Department grants to states and cities by $1.1 billion below last year’s level and $1.3 billion below the Obama request.
 
NASA's budget is cut by $1.6 billion, or $1.9 billion below the request. The end of the Space Shuttle accounts for $1 billion in savings, and appropriators have decided to kill the James Webb Space Telescope.

The National Science Foundation also sees a cut of $907 million compared to Obama’s request, which he has insisted will help “Win the Future” through innovation.
 
Appropriators are increasing funding for the International Trade Administration in support of Obama’s initiative to boost exports. The bill reflects a compromise to allow the Patent and Trademark Office to keep all the fees it collects, while still allowing the committee its traditional oversight role.
 
"Despite the difficult choices that were made, this legislation includes a number of positive initiatives to create jobs by promoting economic growth and innovation here at home,” Commerce-Justice-Science subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf (R-Va.) said.

The cuts to local grants prompted an angry response from city officials.

“Public safety is the last thing we should be putting on the chopping block, but the House Appropriations Committee now wants to eliminate the COPS Program entirely and cut Byrne JAG grants by another 16 percent.  At a time when cities are being forced to lay off police officers to balance their budgets, these cuts to the federal government’s primary source of support for local police departments are untimely and ill advised, and a threat to public safety," said Tom Cochran, executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

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