Justice Dept. budget sees 6-percent hike

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey said Monday the fiscal year 2009 budget proposal for the Justice Department is $22.7 billion.

The request includes a 6-percent increase from FY 2008 budget law enforcement and prosecution programs, including $492.7 million to improve the department's counterterrorism and intelligence capabilities, Mukasey said in a news release.

"The fiscal year 2009 budget supports our mission and includes targeted enhancements to ensure the nation's security and to bolster our law enforcement efforts along the Southwest border," Mukasey said.

Among budget items Mukasey highlighted were:

-- Providing $492.7 for prevention of terrorist acts.

-- Designation $100 million for fighting criminal activity on the Southwest border.

-- Providing $7.1 billion to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

-- Allocating $67.1 million for federal detention and incarceration programs.

The budget also includes more than $1 billion for state and local law enforcement assistance.