On December 21, 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that all new equitable sharing payments to state and local law enforcement agencies through the DOJ federal asset forfeiture program will cease for the foreseeable future. This is a direct result of a combined $1.2 billion rescission from both the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-74), enacted in November 2015, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-113), which was signed into law on December 18, 2015. It is important to note that this rescission only applies to DOJ’s asset forfeiture program funds and does not impact the U.S. Department of Treasury.

This shortsighted decision by the U.S. Congress will have a significant and immediate impact on the ability of law enforcement agencies throughout the United States to protect their communities and provide their citizens with the services they expect and deserve.