Dear Neighbor,

Today, I proudly introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2023. This legislation aims to better protect witnesses to serious crimes who are willing to testify in criminal trials.

While there may be a lot of things we can do to fight violent crime, I believe protecting witnesses is a major part of our responsibility because so many witnesses and potential witnesses are afraid to come forward with important information. My legislation works to address that fear and witness intimidation.  

Too often, criminals and their accomplices seek to silence witnesses by way of physical violence, threats, and other means of intimidation. In too many communities, this has culminated with what is known as a “stop snitching” culture.

To confront this issue head-on, my bill authorizes $150 million ($30 million each year for five years) in grants for communities that establish or maintain witness protection programs. These programs will allow innocent bystanders of serious crimes to no longer feel silenced and to safely bring dangerous, potentially violent criminals to justice by offering the information they have to law enforcement officials.

A special thank you to my friend and Team Maryland colleague, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, who introduced the companion legislation to this bill in the U.S. Senate.

My bipartisan legislation currently has 17 original cosponsors and is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Children’s Alliance, the National Center for Victims of Crime, the National District Attorneys Association, and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. 

Fighting crime has to be our collective, number one priority in Baltimore City. I am proud to lead this crucial step in combatting the crime crisis experienced in communities across the country. This bill represents just one step of my effort to combat criminals.

Yours in service,

Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress