John Sweeney: Fighting Against Fighting Meth
This is from the DCCC.

For Immediate Release June 16, 2005

John Sweeney: Fighting Against Fighting Meth
With A War On Meth Raging in New York, Representative John Sweeney (R-20) Votes Against Aiding the Fight Against Methamphetamine

This week, Representative John Sweeney (R-N.Y.) voted against aiding the drug war in this country. Twice.

Earlier this week, Congress voted to aid the fight against drugs in this country. Two amendments, the first, passed by a large margin, provides $20 million to fight methamphetamine trafficking and investigate related offenses, the second, which did not pass, was to restore funding to a grants program that provides money for states to curb methamphetamine production and distribution.

“Congressman Sweeney’s votes hurt the war on drugs – it’s that simple. His votes against the aid for methamphetamine trafficking and investigation and for more COPS funding as well as against a grants program that funds task forces are truly baffling. We’ve been fighting a war on drugs in this country for years and when amendments comes along that could help that effort, why would a Member of Congress vote against them?” said XXX COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR XXX. “This is only the latest example of Sweeney’s actions that give families in his district some pause. Both amendments that Rep. Sweeney voted against provide added safety and security to communities all over New York and America, unfortunately only the first one passed. Middle-class New York families deserve someone who fights for their safety, not someone who tows the party line at the expense of American security.”

The first vote was for $20 million that would be divided up and is expected to aid the long raging war on drugs. The amendment sends $10 million in added funds to the Drug Enforcement Administration to fight meth trafficking internationally and $10 million in additional funds for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. This vital program trains state and local prosecutors as well as law enforcement agents in investigating and prosecuting meth-related offenses. [HR 2862, Vote #248, 6/14/05]

Rep. Sweeney’s second vote was against a $286 million for the fight against meth. The underlying bill cuts funding for a program that funds the fight by 45 percent. This was a vote against an amendment to a funding bill that restores $286 million to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG) program. The cuts endanger nearly 400 state and local task forces and puts at risk state funding for the effort to slow meth production and distribution. [HR 2862, Vote #245, 6/14/05]
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 3:26 PM