Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2019

Floor Speech

I rise today in support of H.R. 494, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2019. The bill reauthorizes the Justice Department's Juvenile Accountability Block Grant--JABG--program, strengthens the program to reduce youth crime, and contains vigorous accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure taxpayer dollars are efficiently and wisely utilized.

I would like to say thank you to the sponsor of this legislation, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, for her hard work and, as she just explained in great detail, the many things about this bill that are good for us and why I would support this bill.

When young people commit crimes, it has a serious and long-lasting detrimental impact. Our children represent the promise of a bright future and the hope for continued prosperity. That means improving the juvenile justice system and reducing juvenile crimes is crucial to preserving and protecting the future of our children and our Nation.

The JABG program provides grants to States, Tribes, and localities to strengthen juvenile justice systems and reduce recidivism among offenders.

The program currently has 17 authorized purpose areas, including the implementation of graduated sanctions for juveniles; support for prosecutorial initiatives aimed at curbing drug use, violence, and gangs; accountability-based school safety initiatives; the establishment of juvenile drug courts; and bullying and cyberbullying prevention.

The JABG has a long history of bipartisan support among members of the Judiciary Committee and in Congress as a whole.

Again, I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, for her hard work on this legislation, and I would encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have no other additional speakers for this and would inquire of the gentlewoman from Texas if she is ready to close on this piece of legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Is it my understanding the gentlewoman is asking for a correction to the short title? Is that what we are looking for?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. I see the gentlewoman's concern here on lines 4, 5, and 6 of the bill. I mean, are we awaiting a ruling from----

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. I understand.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Look, personally, from my perspective, to continue our colloquy here, I have no problem with the name. I think it was probably an oversight in drafting from a previous time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. But I am not sure how we would do it at this point, unless we could agree. Parliamentary Inquiries

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. From an inquiry position, is it possible here that we could unanimous consent a change to this title?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, continuing my parliamentary inquiry, could it also be a possibility for the gentlewoman to understand that this is the intent, and we have this into the Record; that if she was to move ahead with this, that I am sure this will be probably well-respected and well-founded in the Senate; that we could make the change in the Senate and have it back over for us so that we could make this, and not hold up the further proceedings today?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Well, it is a proper question.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Will the gentlewoman yield?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. If I hear the gentlewoman correctly, what she is asking is continuing as we were 5 minutes ago into this process and continuing on. Is that the gentlewoman's intention?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. No, I do not.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, obviously, the gentlewoman from Texas has ultimate passion on this bill and I would not say anything except that we support this legislation. We look forward to moving it. I am sure that she will be able to make any changes she needs to.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source