Cárdenas Calls for Increased Funding for Civil Rights Division
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) sent a letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chairman José E. Serrano (NY-15) and Ranking Member Robert Aderholt (AL-4) calling for increased funding for the Civil Rights Division (CRT) of the Department of Justice. The letter urges the subcommittee to increase CRT funding to $200 million in the FY 2021 appropriations bill.
“For generations, our black and brown citizens have lived with the realistic fear that they are a target of systemic racism. Studies show that since 2005, there have been more than 13,000 deadly police shootings in the U.S., which averages to nearly 1,000 cases a year of officers shooting and killing someone or two to three a day,” Cárdenas wrote. “Out of those 13,000 deadly police shootings, only a small fraction - 106 officers - have been charged with murder or manslaughter. Our country must take steps to address the injustice and inequality unfairly placed in the hands of innocent people.
“As a Congress, we must move with urgency to support our American citizens and take the initial steps to address any inequity that exists in our nation. Increasing the funding levels for Fiscal Year 2021 for the Civil Rights Division will help bolster and strengthen the critical work that they do and provide them with the resources they need to investigate, prosecute, and seek justice for individuals in cases where law enforcement departments engaged in unconstitutional policing.”
The recent murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers sparked national outrage bringing together millions of Americans from all walks of life. For days, protestors have marched in streets across America demanding justice for Floyd and an end to unjust policing practices that have targeted people of color.
The text of the letter is copied below, and the full letter can be found here.
###
June 22, 2020
The Honorable José E. Serrano The Honorable Robert Aderholt
Chair, Subcommittee on Commerce, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Commerce,
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations
Room H-310, The Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Serrano and Ranking Member Aderholt:
Thank you for your leadership on federal strategies that support opportunities for criminal justice, civil rights, and increase public safety. As you work on the Fiscal Year 2021 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill, we urge you to increase funding levels for the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to at least $200 million (+46.8 FY2020).
The Civil Rights Division, also known as CRT, of the U.S. Department of Justice, established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold and preserve the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, including some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division is responsible for enforcing Federal statutes that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and religion. As one of its central tools for accomplishing police reform, restoring police-community trust, and strengthening officer and public safety, CRT has the authority to investigate and litigate cases involving “a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers” that violate Constitutional or federal rights.
For generations, our black and brown citizens have lived with the realistic fear that they are a target of systemic racism. Studies show that since 2005, there have been more than 13,000 deadly police shootings in the U.S., which averages to nearly 1,000 cases a year of officers shooting and killing someone or two to three a day. Out of those 13,000 deadly police shootings, only a small fraction of 106 officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter. Our country must take steps to address the injustice and inequality unfairly placed in the hands of innocent people.
As a Congress, we must move with urgency to support our American citizens and take the initial steps to address any inequity that exists in our nation. Increasing the funding levels for Fiscal Year 2021 for the Civil Rights Division will help bolster and strengthen the critical work that they do and provide them with the resources they need to investigate, prosecute, and seek justice for individuals in cases where law enforcement departments engaged in unconstitutional policing.
We appreciate your attention to civil rights in the past, but we can and must do more. Federal investment in civil rights is fiscally and socially responsible. When we invest in civil rights, we not only protect vulnerable communities, but we also help shape our nation’s definition of equal opportunity for all. We believe that increased funding for the federal civil rights division is necessary for our citizens and for our future. That is why we urge Congress to continue its strong support for the DOJ Civil Rights Division and appropriate at least $200 million for FY 2021.
Thank you for your attention and consideration of this request.