HERKIMER, N.Y. -- Using funding to save lives.

That's the goal of the POWER ACT, a proposed federal grant program to help local police quickly identify deadly drugs.

Senator Chuck Schumer visited Herkimer on Friday, to announce his support of it.

The act would authorize $20 million to the Justice Department to create the program and help supply police agencies with new tools. The tools would be interdiction and portable high-tech screening devices to better detect fentanyl.

Each unit costs between $30,000 and $80,000.

Schumer said federal law enforcement officials are using them, and having success. The tools also protect officers from exposure.

"It's very important for us that our officers know the safety measures they have to take before getting involved with anything like that. It's important -- I'm really happy that this is a bipartisan effort," said Herkimer County Sheriff Christopher Farber.

Schumer said this was voted on once, but didn't pass unanimously so it'll be voted on again in December.

Much of the funding would go to rural agencies.

The request of thousands of Herkimer County students has been heard.

Senator Schumer made another announcement while in Herkimer. He announced that NASA will be sending artifacts of a local icon to the area.

In 2017, students presented a massive banner at the Gregory B. Jarvis Middle School in Mohawk. They asked for artifacts related to Jarvis.

Jarvis was a local astronaut who died aboard the "Challenger" which exploded shortly after launch.

Schumer said NASA heard the request, and is sending Jarvis's flight suit, name tag, mission patches, and other memorabilia.

They'll be shown in the Herkimer County Office Building, and an astronaut will be at the exhibit opening.

A date has not yet been set.