Renzi Fights to Increase Tribal Law Enforcement Funding by $5 Million

Congressman offers Amendment to Strip Funding from UN and Give it to Tribes WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives late Wednesday night (June 28) accepted an amendment by Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-1) to the House Science, State, Justice, Commerce Appropriations bill to increase funding for tribal law enforcement. Renzi's amendment would increase tribal law enforcement funding by $5 million, while reducing funding for international agencies, such as the United Nations, by $5 million. "Gangs, drugs, and lack of a police presence are tearing at the fabric of the traditional Native American way of life," said Congressman Rick Renzi. "Methamphetamine use is reaching epidemic levels and gangs have gained a strong foothold on our Native American youth." Congressman Renzi is fighting for the increase because funding for tribal law enforcement and justice programs this year was cut by $3 million, from $44 to $41 million. Renzi noted that the Navajo Nation, with a landmass the size of West Virginia has only one police officer per 4000 residents. Hope MacDonald Lone Tree, Chair of the Navajo Nation Public Safety Committee said funding is critical for the Navajo Nation. "Manpower is critical for the Navajo Nation police where response time and lack of backup put the lives of officers and victims at stake," said MacDonald. "We greatly appreciate Congressman Renzi's efforts to continually fight for increased funding to those who maintain law and order within the Navajo Nation. Every dollar counts in protecting our families and communities where violent crime exceeds the national average by six times."