Lowey Statement on Department of Homeland Security Terrorism Preparedness and Grant Allocations for Year 2006

LOWEY STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AND GRANT ALLOCATIONS FOR FY 2006

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today issued the following statement at the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing "Department of Homeland Security Terrorism Preparedness Grants: Risk-Based or Guess-Work?"

"Mayor Bloomberg, I think you, Chairman King, and I understand exactly why New York was so dramatically shortchanged in its grant allocations this year, and I thank you for being here today to discuss the impact of these cuts and our joint efforts to fight for adequate funds to protect the number one terrorist target in the nation - New York.

"First and foremost, the Administration has led the effort to slash funding for the three largest homeland security grants - the State Homeland Security Grant Program, Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, and Urban Area Security Initiative. In FY05, the President requested $2.45 billion for the three programs, lowered it to $2.04 billion in FY06, and then again reduced the request to $1.47 billion in FY07. Each time Congress has failed to fully restore damaging cuts to these programs.

"This is an unacceptable insult to every official and first responder working day-in and day-out to protect New York. That is why I offered a motion to recommit the FY07 spending bill to require that states receive no less in FY07 than the higher of the amounts received in FY05 or FY06. Unfortunately, this amendment failed. However, the buck stops with the President, and we need you to join us in pushing the President to insist that the Republican majority in the House and Senate restore these funds in the FY07 DHS appropriations bill.

"New York took its greatest hit in the UASI program, which was designed to help the top urban, high-risk areas, because it has been stretched too thin. Since FY03, the number of recipients for UASI has increased from seven cities to 46 regions comprising 53 cities. This year, the original seven UASI cities will receive only 50% of total funding; New York will receive 40% less than last year; and its share of UASI has been cut by 30%.

"In addition, DHS's effort to base funding for all the grants on risk failed. They created a confusing process that, among other things, poorly categorized critical infrastructure, evaluated assets that pose little to no risk of being attacked, and lacked common sense.

"For example, DHS's assessment deemed NYPD's counterterrorism program, which has been touted by FBI Director Mueller and former Secretary Ridge, ineffective. One thing is certain - programs that go unfunded certainly won't be effective.

"Again, I thank you for coming here today to discuss with this committee the impact these funding cuts will have on your efforts to protect New York. I look forward to continuing our work together to restore these vital funds and base homeland security grants on a real risk-based approach."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny18_lowey/hs062106.html