House passes bill authorizing $50M in grants to fight MS-13

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The House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday night that would give out federal grants to fight local violent crime and gang activity, including activity by the gang MS-13.

A Senate-amended version of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act, introduced by Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., passed the chamber Wednesday, and will now head to President Trump’s desk for his signature. The bipartisan bill’s goal is to “improve existing partnerships“ between federal, state and local agencies, and, specifically, to target gangs like MS-13, which President Trump has criticized publicly several times.

The bill passed the House easily in a 394-13 vote.

“It is clear that the resurgence of MS-13 is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-faceted solution incorporating efforts from all levels of government, law enforcement and communities,” Comstock said on the House floor earlier Wednesday.

The bill authorizes $50 million to be appropriated from 2019 through 2021 to be administered by the Justice Department.

The bill passed the House in March by a voice vote, and the Senate passed an amended version last month by unanimous consent.

Despite the bipartisan cooperation, some Democrats are wary that the legislation could unintentionally target minorities.

“I support preventing and fighting crime no matter who the perpetrator may be,” said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, the ranking member on the Judiciary Subcommittee’s on crime, terrorism, homeland security, and investigations. “But I must caution against targeting groups of young people who are not engaged in crime or who are standing or who may be, in essence, said to be engaged in crime or may be from a particular neighborhood or ethnicities or backgrounds.”

“I would want to make sure we get the gangs and that we get those who are the deadly ones, that are killing and maiming … but I also want to make sure we give our children a chance,” she added.

The bill is part of the 115th Congress’ continued targeting of gang activity. The House passed legislation in September that would allow officials to deport or detain suspected non-citizen gang members regardless of whether they’ve been convicted of a crime.

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