; and (B) seek public comment before finalizing the guidelines required under subparagraph (A). 1043. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act. 1044. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Under section 2576a of title 10, United States Code, the Department of Defense is authorized to provide excess property to local law enforcement agencies. The Defense Logistics Agency, administers such section by operating the Law Enforcement Support Office program. (2) New and used material, including mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and weapons determined by the Department of Defense to be military grade are transferred to local and Federal law enforcement agencies through the program. (3) As a result local law enforcement agencies, including police and sheriff’s departments, are acquiring this material for use in their normal operations. (4) As a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, military equipment purchased for, and used in, those wars has become excess property and has been made available for transfer to local and Federal law enforcement agencies. (5) According to public reports, approximately 12,000 police organizations across the country were able to procure nearly $500,000,000 worth of excess military merchandise including firearms, computers, helicopters, clothing, and other products, at no charge during fiscal year 2011 alone. (6) More than $4,000,000,000 worth of weapons and equipment have been transferred to police organizations in all 50 states and four territories through the program. (7) In May 2012, the Defense Logistics Agency instituted a moratorium on weapons transfers through the program after reports of missing equipment and inappropriate weapons transfers. (8) Though the moratorium was widely publicized, it was lifted in October 2013 without adequate safeguards. (9) As a result, Federal, State, and local law enforcement departments across the country are eligible again to