Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart Secures Nearly $25 Million to Support Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Health Research for Southern Florida

May 14, 2026 Press Release For Immediate Release May 14, 2026 Contact: Andrea Morales (202) 225-4211 Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart Secures Nearly $25 Million to Support Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Health Research for Southern Florida WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill: “I am proud to deliver nearly $25 million in direct federal funding to support law enforcement, public safety, and health research across Southern Florida. This funding will provide law enforcement with the modern equipment, technology, and resources they need to keep our communities safe and deter crime. It will also help universities advance life-saving, cutting-edge health research that brings us closer to better treatments and cures. At the same time, this bill maintains America’s competitive edge and strengthens national security by holding adversarial regimes like Communist China accountable, combating transnational criminal networks, and drug trafficking. I commend Chairman Tom Cole and the Dean of the House, Hal Rogers, for putting forth a bill that prioritizes Americans’ safety above all else while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. ” Supporting Law Enforcement City of Miami Police Department: $4.2 million for the acquisition of marked police cruisers Town of Medley Police Department : $1.78 million to replace and expand its Police Department fleet through the purchase of 30 fully equipped marked patrol vehicles. City of Hialeah Police Department: $3.4 million to replace the current 911 technology system. Collier County Sheriff’s Office : $3.18 million to purchase 15 marked Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), one rapid response truck, and other critical law enforcement equipment. Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office : $500,000 to purchase a tactical vehicle Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Police Department : $225,000 to acquire and deploy two public-safety drone sets and supporting software to increase situational awareness and speedy emergency response. Bolstering National Security Including bill language for technical corrections for LIBERTAD Title III claimants. This language clarifies that a claimant who is eligible to sue under Title III of the LIBERTAD Act of 1996 , and who subsequently acquired a claim through inheritance or as a successor-in-interest after March 1996, may successfully bring suit against a person who traffics in the claimant’s confiscated property. Including bill language prohibiting the use of funds made available by this Act to license exports to any officer of the Cuban military or intelligence service, or an immediate family member thereof. Including Report Language reiterating the passage of the No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act $108 million for the Missing and Exploited Children programs, which fund the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children clearinghouse. Strengthening School Safety STOP School Violence Grant Program : $84 million STOP School Violence Act carveout for security hardening measures: $55M Police Act Grants : $11.5 million for active shooter training for police officers. COPS Hiring Program : $261M for the hiring of police officers. VALOR Initiative : $12.5 million for police officer safety and wellness programs Mental Health/Peer Mentoring : $10 million for mental health awareness training Including Report Language on the availability of School Resource Officers (SROs) in schools across the country, and encourages the COPS Hiring Office to review if any barriers are impacting law enforcement from applying COPS funds to SROs. Including Report Language on the challenges that urban and rural school districts encounter when applying for federal funding for school safety-related grants, and requires a detailed explanation of grant denials Including Report Language directing the Department of Justice to report on a plan to improve the timing and duration of the grant period to enable the improved quality of applications and increased participation in the application process. Including Report Language directing the Department of Justice to work with other Federal agencies to notify States, localities, Tribes, and school districts of the availability of funding announced by the STOP solicitation upon release, and to provide microgrants for school districts, including rural, Tribal, and low-resourced schools. Championing Conservative Priorities, Countering Communist China, and Maintaining America’s Competitive Edge Providing $2.4 million for the University of Miami’s Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Advanced Nanotechnology Research Initiative Providing $4.2 million for the University of Miami Frontiers in Cancer Metabolism at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Institute Providing $4.9 million for Florida International University NCH Congenital Heart Defect Research Maintaining strong support for the NASA Artemis program to advance American leadership in space and ensure American astronauts are the first to return to the moon. Continuing the long-standing Hyde-like prohibition that prevents the use of Department of Justice funds to pay for abortion. Investing in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum, and advanced manufacturing. Providing funding for the DEA above the FY26 enacted level to curb the flow of China’s illicit export of fentanyl and fentanyl precursors into America. A summary of the bill is available here . Bill text is available here . ### Issues : Appropriations Appropriations Process School Safety Fiscal Responsibility