This week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies and the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced bills that would fund the Department of Justice and related agencies for FY2013.
Senate
On April 19, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved, 28-1, the FY2013 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies spending bill (S. 2323). On April 17, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) approved the legislation. According to Chair Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), “The CJS bill saves lives, protects public safety, and helps the private sector create jobs.” The legislation would approve FY2013 funding that totals $51.862 billion in discretionary funds. This total is $1 billion below FY2012 and $1.493 billion above President Obama’s FY2013 request.
Department of Justice
According to the Senate subcommittee summary, the Department of Justice (DOJ) would receive $27.9 billion in FY2013, which is a $458 million increase from FY2012 and $1.182 billion above the president’s request. Several important programs for women and children, including the Victims of Trafficking Grants, have been consolidated into the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), which would receive $775 million in this bill.
The bill would provide $2.2 billion, $26.1 million less than FY2012 and $200 million more than the president’s FY2013 request, for state and local law enforcement activities, including grants to aid crime victims. Specifically, it would provide $225 million to “prevent, investigate, and prosecute crimes against children” and $413 million for domestic violence and sexual assault grants. In FY2012, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) received $412.5 million, and the president’s request included the same amount for FY2013. This legislation would directly provide $268 million to OVW, and the remainder of the funds would derive from the CVF.
Related Agencies
The Commission on Civil Rights would receive $9.4 million, which is the same amount as the president requested for FY2013 and $207,000 more than FY2012. The legislation would provide $374 million for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is $13.7 million below FY2012 and $2.29 million less than the president’s FY2013 request. The Legal Services Corporation, which provides legal assistance to those who are unable to afford it, would receive $402 million, an amount equal to the president’s FY2013 request and a $54 million increase above FY2012.
Additional information about programs important to women and their families will be made available once the committee releases its report.
House
On April 19, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved, by voice vote, its version of the FY2013 spending bill. The legislation contains $51.1 billion in funding. This amount is $1.6 billion below the FY2012 level and $731 million below the president’s request for FY2013. “This legislation includes funding for some of the most critical aspects of government – the protection of our people here at home, the competiveness of our businesses and industries, and the scientific research that will help America continue to lead the world in innovation,” said Chair Hal Rogers (R-KY).
Department of Justice
According to a House subcommittee press release, the legislation would provide the Department of Justice with $27 billion for FY2013, an increase of $11 million compared to FY2012 and $44 million below the president’s request. The bill would provide $50 million in funding for the Grants to Encourage Arrests Policies and $1 million for the National Sex Offender Public Website, which are the same amounts received by these programs in FY2012 and the president’s request for FY2013.
The chart below details funding levels for specific programs within the FY2013 CJS spending bill. Detailed funding levels in the Senate bill (S. 2323) will be added once the committee releases its report.
|
Agency/Program |
FY2012 |
President’s FY2013 Request |
House Bill |
| Office on Violence Against Women | $412.5 million | $412.5 million | $415 million |
| Grants to Combat Violence Against Women (STOP Grants) | $189 million | $189 million | $189 million |
| Transitional Housing Assistance | $25 million | $22 million | $25 million |
| Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women | $3 million | $3 million | $3.5 million |
| Sexual Assault Victims Services | $23 million | $23 million | $23 million |
| Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement | $34 million | $37 million | $36.5 million |
| Violence on College Campuses | $9 million | $9 million | $9 million |
| Civil Legal Assistance | $41 million | $41 million | $41 million |
| Elder Abuse Grant Program | $4.25 million | $4.25 million | $4.25 million |
| Safe Haven Program | $11.5 million | $11.5 million | $11.5 million |
| Education and Training for Disabled Female Victims | $5.75 million | $5.75 million | $5.75 million |
| Court Training and Improvement Program | $4.5 million | $4.5 million | $4.5 million |
| Research on Violence Against Indian Women | $1 million | $500,000 | $1 million |
| Indian Country Sexual Assault Clearinghouse | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| National Resource Center on Workplace Responses | $1 million | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Consolidated Youth Oriented Program | $10 million | $10 million | $10 million |
| Office of Justice Programs | $2.321 billion | $2.564 billion | $2.02 billion |
| Victims of Trafficking Grants | $10.5 million | $10.5 million | $13.5 million |
| Prison Rape Prevention and Prosecution | $12.5 million | $10.5 million | $12.5 million |
| Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) | $4.5 million | $0 | $4.5 million |
| DNA Initiative | $125 million | $100 million | $125 million |
| Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program | $117 million | $0 | $117 million |
| Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program Grants | $4 million | $0 | $4 million |
Related Agencies
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would receive $366.568 million, which is $5.142 million less than the president requested for FY2013 and $6.568 million less than FY2012. The Commission on Civil Rights would receive $9.193 million, which is the same amount as FY2012, but $207,000 below the amount the president requested for FY2013. The Legal Services Corporation would receive $328 million, which is $20 million less than FY2012 and $74 million than the president’s FY2013 request.
