Announcement for 06/25/08
Second Chance Act Slated to Receive $45 million in House bill, $20 million in Senate Bill
On June 25, the House Appropriations Committee completed the mark-up of the 2009 appropriations bill, which reserves $45 million for programs under the Second Chance Act. Last week the Senate Appropriations subcommittee reserved $20 million for Second Chance programs. Full Committee consideration in the Senate is scheduled for this week.
Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Joe Biden (D-DE), Pat Leahy (D-VT) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) worked closely with colleagues to ensure funding for the program in FY 2009. House champions include Congressmen Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Howard Coble (R-NC).
Other House and Senate Criminal Justice Programs Appropriations Comparison Chart
(in millions)
Program |
FY09 House Mark-Up |
FY09 Senate Mark-Up |
Mentally Ill Offender Program |
-- |
$12 |
Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants |
-- |
$580 |
COPS Program |
-- |
$600 |
Drug Courts Program |
-- |
$30 |
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment |
-- |
$10 |
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program |
-- |
$400 |
Mark-up of the appropriations bills is only a first step in the appropriations process this year. Both the House and Senate CJS bills will be sent to the floor for consideration. If Congress is unable to pass the spending bills, it will likely pass a continuing resolution (CR), which provides funding for existing federal programs at current or reduced levels. A CR would not include funding for any new programs, including the Second Chance Act. Hill staff report that it is too early to determine if the Committees will pass the spending bills or a continuing resolution.
For more information on the Second Chance Act please click here or email scainfo@csg.org.