Issue Position: Homeland Security

Issue Position

"Defending against threats to America's security will always be one of my highest priorities in the U.S. Senate. I'm committed to ensuring that our first responders have the training and equipment they need to protect our families, our homes, and our nation against any and all terrorist threats."
-- Senator John Cornyn

Local, state, and federal authorities must work together as partners protect our cities and communities.

Our Homeland Security is an integral part of the current war against terror - a campaign that spans the globe, from Afghanistan, to Iraq, to our hometowns across the state of Texas.

Our heroes are the volunteers, the doctors, the police, and the firefighters who labor on through the rubble, never losing hope. I believe that we must ensure that these heroes have the training, the equipment, and the facilities they require to remain ever vigilant, in times of war and peace. Emergency responders are the strongest components of our national readiness and an integral part of the current war against terror. These heroes lay down their lives for the sake of others, and we must ensure these patriots are funded appropriately.

Distributing Homeland Security Funds Based on Risk: Federal Homeland Security funds should be allocated to states according to a risk-based assessment. It is vital that we distribute our limited resources to the most vulnerable places in the country we most need to protect, and that that these funds are distributed in an efficient and timely manner. Taxpayer dollars are not limitless, and Congress must work to ensure every penny be directed where it will do the most good. It is imperative that we guard the places across our nation where terrorists are most likely to strike, and where such strikes could do the most damage to our people, our government, and our national economy. This is the most responsible way to prepare for any future attack.

Among Senator Cornyn's Accomplishments:

Strengthening Security at Texas Ports: Home to four of the ten busiest ports in the nation -- Houston, Corpus Christi, Beaumont and Texas City -- Texas ports play a significant role in the national economy and must be among our highest homeland security priorities. In 2006, Senator Cornyn helped pass major port security legislation providing for increased communication, layered security at every step of the supply chain and ensuring that homeland security resources are allocated based on risk.

Senator Cornyn has also been a strong supporter of the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) which assists our nation's ports with risk management and emergency operations planning. Houston, Beaumont and Corpus Christi are Among a number of Texas cities who have benefited from this program, having received $76 million, $23 million and $27 million, respectively, over the last three years.

Strengthening Security at Texas Chemical Facilities: The chemical industry is one of the most vibrant industries in Texas, directly employing roughly 75,000 Texans. In 2006, Senator Cornyn helped to pass the first chemical security legislation as part of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

Emergency-Responder Roundtables: Senator Cornyn has traveled throughout Texas conducting round table discussions and listening sessions with emergency responders. Regional sessions have been conducted in Beaumont, Dallas, Houston, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, Sherman, and Waco.

Supporting Texas First Responders: Senator Cornyn has worked to support Texas applicants for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which helps municipal and volunteer fire departments purchase trucks and equipment, hire and retain staff, and operate fire safety education programs. He has successfully supported over hundreds of Texas fire departments; and has helped them receive more than $83 million since 2003.

Protecting Local Communities: During Senate consideration of The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act Of 2006, Senator Cornyn successfully strengthened this bill by including two key immigration-related provisions.

Supported the creation of the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program to help local law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders purchase new, interoperable communications systems. As a result, Texas state and local public safety agencies will receive $65 million in funding under this program.

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