Reps. Crowley, Fossella, Matsui and Garrett Team Up to Increase Homeland Security Funding for High-Threat Cities in the House

Press Release

Reps. Crowley, Fossella, Matsui and Garrett Team Up to Increase Homeland Security Funding for High-Threat Cities in the House

U.S. Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Vito Fossella (R-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Scott Garrett (R-NJ) last night introduced and passed an amendment in the House that adds $50 million in funding for high-risk, high-threat cities to fight terrorism.

The measure, which passed the House 244-174 as an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for FY 2008, directs $50 million in additional funds to the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which distributes funding using a risk-based formula. The amendment increases total funding under UASI to $850 million for FY 2008 - an increase of $80 million over last year's level.

"I spearheaded the creation of the Urban Area Security Initiative to ensure the nation's cities at highest-risk of a terrorist attack have the necessary resources to protect their citizens and landmarks," Crowley said. "I am proud my colleagues believe it should be continued, and I appreciate their support in acting to further strengthen it. My legislation assures better preparedness for New York and other American cities susceptible to an act of terrorism. I am proud to have worked in a bipartisan way with Reps. Vito Fossella, Doris Matsui, and Scott Garrett to convince our colleagues of the need to boost federal support for the Urban Initiative. In doing so, lives will be better protected."

Fossella said, "New York could stand to gain more than $10 million under this amendment. The threat of terrorism remains very real, making it essential for cities that face the greatest risk to have the tools and resources they need to stop attacks before they occur. This amendment will help our first responders train, prepare and be ready to protect innocent Americans from acts of terrorism. It is only common sense to direct homeland security funding to those areas that are being targeted by terrorists for attack. It is clear that major cities like New York remain the center of the bulls-eye for terrorists. The current formula is flawed, and as a result, cities like New York continue to receive less than its fair share of funding. This amendment helps right that wrong by sending more funding to the cities that face the greatest threats."

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, "Year after year, calls to rationalize Homeland Security go ignored. Year after year, huge sums of Homeland Security money are spread across the country while New York City - which has enormous needs, has been attacked before, has been targeted many times since, and will most likely be targeted again - goes wanting. Al-Qaeda must be laughing all the way to their tents. Today's amendment is so important because it doesn't confuse theoretical risks with actual targets and threats. On behalf of every New Yorker, I want to thank Representatives Crowley and Fossella, as well as Representatives Matsui and Garrett for directing Homeland Security funds where we all know we need them - high-risk, high-threat cities like New York."

Matsui said, "I have long been impressed by the local law enforcement officers and first responders in the Sacramento region, as well as throughout the country. Over the last few years, our first responders have done a remarkable job in preparing the country to respond to a terrorist attack. However, when it comes to public safety, federal funds must accompany federal mandates. With this in mind, my colleagues Mr. Crowley, Mr. Fossella, Mr. Garrett and I have offered an amendment to add $50 million to the UASI grant program. This increase in federal dollars will allow at-risk cities across the nation to properly plan for disasters, and to equip themselves with the radios, protective gear, and training that they need. Each day, our first responders and law enforcement officers tackle nearly impossible tasks. This increased funding will helps them do their jobs. In the process, it keeps our country safe and secure."

Garrett said, "The unraveled plot to blow up the jet fuel artery feeding JFK Airport stands as a stark reminder not only that the terrorists are still plotting against us, but also that some Americans are at greater risk than others. Some regions are just richer targets for terrorists who are hungry for a big kill and big publicity. Our homeland security funding should reflect that reality. Distributing funds to every state in the nation simply to ensure that every state gets a piece of the pie is misguided and must be changed. This amendment is a good step forward in that direction."

Reps. Fossella and Crowley also teamed up last year to pass a similar amendment that added $20 million in funding to UASI. The amendment increased total funding under UASI to $770 million for FY 2007. The initiative has delivered over half a billion dollars to New York since Congressman Crowley created UASI in a bipartisan way with Congressman Fossella in 2003. In New York City, the grants have been used to train and better equip first responders, and provide them with better communication systems to assure preparedness, in addition to improved monitoring of critical infrastructure.

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