Just a few votes worth noting for Idaho Congressman Bill Sali yesterday. He voted against a bill that had 102 co-sponsors enhancing public safety and community policing programs and also against a bill with 66 co-sponsors that would provide incentives for law school graduates who pursue public service as prosecutors and public defenders.
HR 1700 Cops Improvement Act — To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to enhance the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program, and for other purposes.
Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 381-34
Among other things this bill would authorize grants to:
- Hire school resource officers and establish local partnerships to combat crime, gangs, drug activities, and other problems in elementary and secondary schools.
- Pay for officers hired to perform intelligence, anti-terror, or homeland security duties.
- Establish and implement programs to reduce and prevent illegal drug activities, including the manufacturing, distribution, and use of methamphetamine.
- Meet emerging law enforcement needs, as warranted.
- Hire former members of the Armed Forces to serve as career law enforcement officers.
HR 916 John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act — Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct the Attorney General to assume the obligation to repay student loans for borrowers who agree to remain employed, for at least three years, as: (1) state or local criminal prosecutors; or (2) state, local, or federal public defenders in criminal cases. Allows a borrower and the Attorney General to enter into an additional loan repayment agreement, after the required three-year period, for a successive period of service which may be less than three years. Limits the amount paid under such program on behalf of any borrower to $10,000 per calendar year and $60,000 total.
Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 341-73
The bill's sponsor Rep. David Scott of Georgia says this in a release:
“A serious situation is emerging impacting public safety, justice, fairness and the integrity of the criminal justice system, as a severe shortage of qualified prosecutors and public defenders looms large over our entire nation,” Congressman Scott said. “In Georgia and throughout the country, the recruitment and retention of public prosecutors and defenders has been a daunting task in recent years. This is largely because crushing student debt burdens have deterred many talented law graduates from pursuing public service careers.” [...]
“Our communities suffer when the criminal justice system lacks a sufficient supply of experienced prosecutors and defenders,” Scott added. “Criminal caseloads become unmanageable, cases can be delayed or mishandled, serious crimes may go unprosecuted, and innocent defendants may be sent to jail while guilty criminals go free. This bill will bolster the ranks of talented attorneys in the criminal justice system and help that system function more effectively.”

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