million or 36.5 percent over the FY 2000 level of $7.2 million. In addition, the FY 2001 appropriations language contains a provision permitting the Attorney General to make additional funding available to CRS, as may be necessary when "emergent circumstances require additional funding for conflict prevention and resolution activities," from other Department of Justice Appropriations.

The Administration is seeking this increase in budgetary authority for CRS in order to open 10 new field offices and hire 15 new field conciliation specialists, 10 field intake specialists, and 5 support personnel in the headquarters office, in order to better respond to requests for assistance from State and local governments. According to the Administration, these new offices and additional personnel are needed because of "growing racial violence and conflict and projected added demand for CRS services."

The Committee fully supports the important work CRS is doing in assisting communities in the peaceful and voluntary resolution of racial and ethnic conflict. However, the Committee does not have sufficient information to indicate that the current level of funding for CRS, coupled with the Attorney General's authority to make additional funding available to CRS in exigent circumstances, is insufficient to enable CRS to fulfill its responsibilities.

UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

The United States Commission on Civil Rights serves as an independent, bipartisan, factfinding agency of the Executive Branch. For FY 2000, the Administration requested budget authority of $11 million, an increase of $2.1 million over the Commission's FY 1999 appropriation of $8.9 million. The Commission, however, was appropriated only $8.9 million due in large measure to a General Accounting (GAO) report issued in 1997 that found broad management problems within the Commission. In that report, the GAO indicated that the Commission "appears to be an agency in disarray, with limited awareness of how its resources are used." Additionally, a report issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in November 1996 had raised concerns about a need for improvement in matters relating to documentation of recruitment and placement actions, employee confidence in the grievance system, employee confidence in the performance of the management system, and a need to improve communications.

For FY 2001, the Administration again requests budget authority of $11 million, an increase of $2.1 million over its FY 2000 appropriation of $8.9 million. In October 1999, the OPM issued a report that found improvement in the administration of the Commission's human resources management program, but found that the other concerns the OPM identified in 1997 continue to require attention. For example, the OPM determined that the Commission "has an overall lack of accountability for the actions of managers because of their lack of authority to make basic managerial decisions.” Moreover, the Staff Director's judgment in approving a nonreimbursable detail assignment for the Commission's General Counsel to the Department of Education, and the Chairperson's public disinterest in the issue, reflects a disregard for the Commission's budget. The Committee, therefore, recommends maintaining the Commission's current level of funding and again appropriating the Commission $8.9 million.

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is responsible for providing the overall direction of executive branch policies designed to prevent conflicts of interest and to ensure high ethical standards. The OGE is seeking $9.7 million for FY 2001. The request represents an increase of approximately 6 percent over the FY 2000 level of $9.1 million. The increase is due to an increase in rent, employee pay increases and promotions, and a general inflationary increase of 3 to 3.5 percent. In order to ensure that OGE has sufficient funding to carry out its responsibilities, the Committee believes the requested increase would be appropriate.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION-DOJ

The Administration is requesting a 12.4 percent increase for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in FY 2001 (from approximately $3.11 billion to $3.36 billion). A substantial percentage of the proposed increase would be directed at combating cybercrime and counterterrorism as well as strengthening the Bureau's counterintelligence capability. The proposed increase includes $40 million for the FBI's new information sharing initiative, $8.6 million to fund 100 Computer Analysis and Response Team members to support the investigation of computer related crimes, and $19.1 million to fund 138 positions (63 agents) to enhance the FBI's ability to conduct national security investigations and thwart hostile intelligence services operating in the U.S.

The law enforcement challenges facing the FBI are constantly expanding. Terrorism, cybercrime and other crimes committed through the use of computer technology are areas that have created a demand to increase resources within the FBI in recent years. The Committee generally supports additional resources for the FBI but will continue to review its programs and activities to determine if the Administration's proposal is sufficient and properly focused. For example, over the last several years, the Administration has regularly sought increased funding for the FBI's national security activities. While the Committee supports a vigorous effort in this area, the Committee believes that continuing to expand this funding should be closely reviewed in light of current threats to the country to ensure that these increases are not simply made routine. The Committee also notes that together with prior funding, the Administration has sought over $140 million in nonpersonnel funding for its information sharing initiative. The Committee believes that a review of these expenditures is necessary to ensure that these funds are being spent in the most efficient manner.

Finally, the Committee expresses concern that the Administration's budget for the FBI seeks funding for increased FBI involvement in the areas of jurisdiction of other Federal law enforcement agencies. The Committee believes that closer review is warranted of the Administration's funding requests for FBI participation in security planning for the 2002 Olympics and for the FBI to operate a bomb technician school for State and local law enforcement officials. The Committee also notes that the Administration's FBI budget contains a request for over $5 million in start-up costs for the FBI to begin to collect and analyze DNA samples from Federal offenders, even though there is no statutory authority that allows the FBI, or any other agency, to conduct this activity. The Committee believes that funding for this

purpose should be withheld until such time as Congress grants the FBI and other agencies the legal authority to conduct this activity.

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION - DOJ

For FY 2001, the Administration is requesting $1.457 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is about $115 million and 12 percent more than last year's appropriation. While substantial progress has been made over the past decade in the struggle against the manufacturing, distribution, and use of illegal drugs, the Committee believes that combating narco-terrorists and drug traffickers here and abroad must continue to be a top priority of Federal law enforcement. Because the DEA is the lead Federal agency in this effort and should be allocated resources accordingly, the increase in resources appears appropriate.

The General Accounting Office has completed its examination of the DEA's mission, priorities, strategies and activities to determine if the DEA has properly allocated its resources to combat international trafficking organizations. This review showed that the DEA's domestic focus has in many ways increased faster in recent years that the focus on international and overseas drug organizations. The Committee continues to be generally concerned that there is too little emphasis being placed by the DEA on attacking and interdicting drugs at their source and in the transit zone. To this end, the Committee is extremely concerned that the Administration has proposed zero additional agents for overseas counter-drug activities.

The Administration has proposed that $3.1 million and 18 positions (11 Special Agents) be authorized to support Special Operations Division (SOD) investigations into unlawful drug and laundering operations along the southwest border. Given the increased prevalence of Mexican narcotic trafficking organizations over the past year, the Committee supports this request.

The Committee assumes that the DEA will continue its methamphetamine strategy and anticipates complementing it by moving Federal legislation enhancing treatment and enforcement efforts this year. Further, the Administration has proposed $56 million and 2 positions to support the operational requirements of project FIREBIRD. The Committee notes that though this appears to be a costly expenditure for office automation, given the effective use of technology by illegal narcotic organizations, ensuring DEA's full access to cutting edge technology is of paramount importance.

The Committee is concerned about insufficient continued support of the Caribbean Corridor Strategy, which has been crucial to deterring and detecting drug trafficking throughout the Caribbean.

The Committee is also concerned about insufficient attention being given to the counterdrug effort in Colombia, but is hopeful that the President's recent request for a supplemental appropriation specifically to assist Colombia will provide the desperately needed additional

MEAL OF PRO

and forfeiture programs. The Office of Enforcement Cunding to address the increasing number of new wiretaps ecifically from efforts such as the Special Operations

STANCE PROGRAM (SCAAP)

ested $600 million to fund SCAAP, which reimburses States undocumented criminal aliens. In FY 2000, although the > million, the Appropriations Committee allocated $585 'the burden on states. The Committee urges the Budget nto recommend an increase of last year's funding by $100 As stated in the report to accompany H.R. 3303 (House Report e Appropriation

+99, 2000, and 2001, the Committee continues to believe that sume the full financial responsibility for the incarceration of governments. That legislation, as passed by the House, on for FY 2001.

FORCEMENT ASSISTANCE (OJP and "COPS")

to be concerned about the programmatic soundness of the
vell managed; it has not met its goals. And yet, the
unding for it. Interestingly, the Administration continues its
on of the overall COPS funding for a wide variety of purposes
at officers on the beat. As such, the Administration continues
n of law enforcement block grants, which provide communities
crime as they see fit. Once again, the Administration has

rants.

cerned at the lack of support for the Juvenile Accountability 'ast two years, which has helped States and localities strengthen their juvenile justice system.

e Against Women Act (VAWA) extends through FY 2000.
120 million for Violence Against Women Act Law

Commonly referred to as STOP Grants (Services,
grants are provided to each State and Territory to
w enforcement, Judiciary, social services and shelters.
full funding ($174 million) for the grants. We believe
once again in the amount of $220 million in order to
victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and

purpose should be withheld until such time as Congress grants the FBI and other agencies the legal authority to conduct this activity.

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION - DOJ

For FY 2001, the Administration is requesting $1.457 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is about $115 million and 12 percent more than last year's appropriation. While substantial progress has been made over the past decade in the struggle against the manufacturing, distribution, and use of illegal drugs, the Committee believes that combating narco-terrorists and drug traffickers here and abroad must continue to be a top priority of Federal law enforcement. Because the DEA is the lead Federal agency in this effort and should be allocated resources accordingly, the increase in resources appears appropriate.

The General Accounting Office has completed its examination of the DEA's mission, priorities, strategies and activities to determine if the DEA has properly allocated its resources to combat international trafficking organizations. This review showed that the DEA's domestic focus has in many ways increased faster in recent years that the focus on international and overseas drug organizations. The Committee continues to be generally concerned that there is too little emphasis being placed by the DEA on attacking and interdicting drugs at their source and in the transit zone. To this end, the Committee is extremely concerned that the Administration has proposed zero additional agents for overseas counter-drug activities.

The Administration has proposed that $3.1 million and 18 positions (11 Special Agents) be authorized to support Special Operations Division (SOD) investigations into unlawful drug and laundering operations along the southwest border. Given the increased prevalence of Mexican narcotic trafficking organizations over the past year, the Committee supports this request.

The Committee assumes that the DEA will continue its methamphetamine strategy and anticipates complementing it by moving Federal legislation enhancing treatment and enforcement efforts this year. Further, the Administration has proposed $56 million and 2 positions to support the operational requirements of project FIREBIRD. The Committee notes that though this appears to be a costly expenditure for office automation, given the effective use of technology by illegal narcotic organizations, ensuring DEA's full access to cutting edge technology is of paramount importance.

The Committee is concerned about insufficient continued support of the Caribbean Corridor Strategy, which has been crucial to deterring and detecting drug trafficking throughout the Caribbean.

The Committee is also concerned about insufficient attention being given to the counterdrug effort in Colombia, but is hopeful that the President's recent request for a supplemental appropriation specifically to assist Colombia will provide the desperately needed additional