Letters to Congress

When the need arises, NCJA writes letters to educate members of Congress about pending legislation that may impact the smooth and balanced functioning of the criminal justice system. NCJA also joins with other state and local criminal justice stakeholder organizations in expressing united support for continued federal funding for Byrne JAG and other priority programs. Below is a sample of recent letters. Click below to browse the archives of appropriations, dear colleague and legislation letters.

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• Appropriations Letters

• Dear Colleague Letters

• Legislation Letters

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Dear Colleague Letters

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FY2025

• Request for funding “at the highest possible level” for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and signed by 50 Senators

• Request for “the highest possible funding” for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-TX) and signed by 124 Members

• Request to “fully fund the programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act” and to “raise the current funding cap on the Crime Victims Fund”; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and signed by 43 Senators

• Request for the Victims of Crime Act appropriations cap to be set at the highest possible amount; sponsored by Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Jim Costa (D-CA) and signed by 76 Members

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FY2024

• Request for funding “at the highest possible level” for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and signed by 50 Senators

• Request for “the highest possible funding” for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-TX) and signed by 143 Members

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FY2023

• Request for funding “at the highest possible level” for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and signed by 50 Senators

• Request for increased funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-TX) and signed by 159 Members

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FY 2022

• Request for funding “at the highest possible level” for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and signed by 48 Senators

• Request for increased funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-TX) and signed by 163 Members

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FY 2021

• Request for strong funding for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and signed by 54 Senators (signatures not included as congressional office buildings were beginning to close due to COVID)

• Request for increased funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and John Rutherford (R-TX) and signed by 183 Members

FY 2020

• Request for strong funding for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and signed by 64 Senators.

• Request for sufficient funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and signed by 185 Members.

FY 2019

• Request to continue funding for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

• Request for sufficient funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and 
  Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).

FY 2018 

• Request to continue funding for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

• Request for sufficient funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and
  Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).

FY 2017

• Request to continue funding for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

• Request for sufficient funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and
  Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).

FY 2016

• Request to continue funding for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

• Request for sufficient funding for the Byrne JAG and COPS programs; sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and
  Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).

FY 2015

• Request to continued funding for the Byrne JAG program; sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

• Request that the Byrne JAG and COPS programs not be cut further this year; sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).

FY 2014

• Request that Byrne JAG not be cut further this year; sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

• Request that COPS Hiring be funded at $257 million; sponsored by Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).

• Request that the Byrne JAG and COPS programs not be cut further this year; sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).

• Request to continue MIOTCRA funding; sponsored by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN).

• Request to continue funding for MIOTCRA and signed by 61 Members of the Congress; sponsored by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA).

• Request to raise the VOCA cap to $1 billion; sponsored by Rep. Jim Costa (D–CA).