Key Antigun Program Loses Direct Financing

"Congress has eliminated direct financing for a Justice Department program that has been the centerpiece of the Bush administration's efforts to prosecute black-market gun crimes.

The move, which Congressional officials attributed to competing budget priorities, cuts federal grants to local and state law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting crimes committed with guns. It also raises questions about the administration's ability to persuade the Republican-controlled Congress to support its legislative priorities...

The administration had sought $45 million for local grants under the gun prosecution program, Project Safe Neighborhoods.
...
But in passing a $388 billion spending bill on Nov. 20, Congress erased all the direct money sought for the program. A related program to track and intercept illegal purchases of guns by youngsters, for which the administration sought an additional $106 million, also received nothing in the final spending package, although the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which administers it, received an overall increase of $20 million.

This is disconcerting. It seems (duh!) that worse than losing the
White House this year was losing the Congress. Even when Bush "pushes" moderate issues, Congress is willing to overturn him and offer the money to other programs with other "problems like detaining illegal immigrants..."  ¶
- david | 1:39 PM