President's Homeland Security Budget Neglects America's Needs

Press Release

President's Homeland Security Budget Neglects America's Needs

Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding President Bush's FY 2009 budget for the Department of Homeland Security:

"It's impossible to secure our nation without securing our communities first. The President's budget neglects firefighters, police officers, and other emergency service providers who respond to our calls for help by slashing their funding. The President must back up his rhetoric and provide resources where a clear need exists.

"We face many challenges in the year ahead, including the transition of a presidential administration, and the continued development of this new department. What we must expect and insist from the President is a budget and a plan that ensure the Department's resilience and makes the nation safer.

"Over the last few years we've seen that disasters can strike anywhere at anytime, sometimes with little warning. The Department of Homeland Security's work doesn't end with facing the challenge it continues with implementing a solution.

"I have provided the Department of Homeland Security with an eight point plan, ‘Charting the course to freedom from fear,' that can help to attain these goals," said Rep. Thompson.

The President's budget fails to provide adequate funding to some of the most significant homeland security issues. For example:

The Proposed Elimination and Reduction of Key Programs in the President's Budget Compromises the Nation's Capacity for Response, Resilience, and Recovery in the Wake of a National Catastrophe:

The budget includes a colossal $750 million (79%) cut to the State Homeland Security Grant Program.
The President's budget cuts funding for the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant program by nearly 50% and proposes eliminating the SAFER firefighter staffing program.
The President seeks to eliminate funding for the Metropolitan Medical Response System in FY 2009.
Congressional Democrats rebuffed efforts to eliminate this critical program last year, and funded MMRS at $41 million for FY 2008.

Although an Improvement, the President's Budget Falls Short of Implementing a Common Sense Border and Port Security Strategy:

The budget requests funding for only 539 new Customs and Border Protection officers, which is far fewer than necessary to address security lapses cited by a recent GAO report.
Finally, the budget requests only $10 million to address deficiencies at CBP-owned ports of entry, which is almost insignificant compared to the need for additional security, new inspection facilities, and replacement of aging infrastructure.

Despite Modest Improvements, the President's Budget Resists Scrutiny of the Department's Functionality, Governance, and Accountability:

The President's cut the budget of the Office of Inspector General - The decision to cut the Department's "internal watchdog" is deeply troubling.

The President's Budget Lacks the Specificity and Transparency Needed to Develop Technology and Educate Future Homeland Security Experts:

The President has finally increased funding to secure federal government information networks after grossly under-funding them for years.
Sadly, the President sought funding cuts to University Programs including a $788,000 cut to Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) programs.
While funding has been designated for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs, the Department has more to do to provide accessibility and opportunity for minority- and women-owned business.

The President's Budget Enhances Aviation Security but Leaves Vulnerable other Critical Modes of Transportation:

Despite Congress' action in the 9/11 bill to significantly increase funding for rail and mass transit security, the Administration's budget request significantly shortchanges those efforts.

The President's Budget Fails to Prioritize the Preservation of Civil Liberties in Times of Terror:

The President's budget falls short and additional funding is warranted.

The President's Budget Dismisses the Need to Connect the Dots Regarding Intelligence and Information Sharing:

The President's budget request falls short of what is necessary to deploy Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) staff to State and local fusion centers on the aggressive timetable described to the Committee during hearings last year and in the Budget-in-Brief itself.
This is particularly troubling in view of the fact that GAO has identified establishing appropriate and effective information-sharing mechanisms to improve homeland security (including fusion centers) as a "high risk area" for the Department.

The President's Budget Fails to Support Strategic Planning and Coordination to Shield the Nation's Critical Infrastructure from Foreign and Domestic Terrorism:

The President's budget proposes a $14.1 million cut in resources for the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Program Management which is the very foundation for infrastructure protection in the United States.

Source