July 13, 2006 Contact: Leslie Phillips (202) 224-2627 LIEBERMAN SAYS HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT UNDER FUNDS FIRST RESPONDERS But Includes Strong Emergency Management, Chemical Security Provisions   Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., Thursday voted in favor of the FY2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which included an amendment offered by himself and Chairman Susan Collins, R-Me., to reinvent FEMA and because of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., to advance chemical security regulations. The measure still vastly under funds a variety of homeland security needs, including rail and transit security and first responder needs, Lieberman said. “This bill has elements that will improve our homeland security, but without adequate funding, our nation’s homeland security needs cannot properly be met,” said Lieberman. “While Senate appropriators greatly improved upon the President’s budget proposal for homeland security, this year’s Homeland Security Appropriations Act still falls far short of sufficient funding for a variety of needs. Funding for first responders, whose crucial role was dramatically seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, was cut for the third straight year. However, I am heartened by the additional funds that were appropriated for our port security and hope that they will be retained in conference with the House.” Two key provisions of this bill will improve our security and our disaster response capabilities, Lieberman said. The Byrd amendment, which Lieberman cosponsored, will permit the Department of Homeland Security to establish regulations to help secure the chemical facilities most at risk of terrorist attack. Last month, the Senate Committee unanimously approved the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006, authored by Collins and Lieberman. This act has not yet been brought to the floor for consideration. Also, the 87-11 approval of the Collins-Lieberman amendment to remake FEMA into a truly national emergency management system will provide the authority, capabilities, and resources emergency officials need to ensure more effective and coordinated response to future disasters.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 July 2006 Press Releases   July 27 - Lieberman Criticizes GOP Votes Against Katrina Victims   July 27 - Homeland Security Committee Approves Senators Collins', Lieberman's Legislation to Implement Findings of the Hurricane Katrina Report   July 24 - Senators Collins and Lieberman Urge Frist to Bring Chemical Security Legislation to the Floor   July 24 - Lieberman Disappointed by Latest Report on Customs and Border Protection   July 19 - DHS Purchase Cards: Credit Without Accountability   July 14 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce Major DHS Contract for CT Firm   July 13 current Press Release   July 12 - Senate Approves Collins-Lieberman Amendment   July 11 - Lieberman Offers Bipartisan Plan for National Emergency Management System   July 7 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce Grant Opportunities for CT Transit, Port Security
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