Reps. Fossella & Crowley Criticize Cuts for NYC in Federal Homeland Security Funding

[Washington, DC] – Congressman Vito Fossella Congressman Joe Crowley today criticized the announcement this morning that New York City will receive $82 million less in homeland security funding for Fiscal Year 2006.

 The Department of Homeland Security announced today that New York will receive a total of $124 million in homeland security grants for Fiscal Year 2006 – a 40% cut vs. last year under the threat-based Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grants program. New York City’s share of funding under the program was slashed from 25% to 17% (from $829 million in FY 05 to $757 million in FY 06).

Fossella said, “This is shameful. Every dollar that is diverted from New York makes it more difficult to protect the city from terrorists. The pork barrel distribution of homeland security funding remains alive and well in Washington. New York City's share of homeland security funding has dropped from 25% to 17% yet the threat here remains as great as ever. There is no justification whatsoever that New York should experience a cut of 40% in its homeland security funding.”

Crowley said, “This drastic cut to keep New York secure from the horror of another deadly attack is an absolute outrage.  I am amazed that after we in Congress have successfully fought to boost funding for terror grants to American cities, the Bush Administration has chosen to reduce the ability of the city that experienced the single most horrific act of terror on American soil to protect itself. This is the 21st century equivalent of President Bush telling New York City to "Drop Dead.” Crowley’s cousin, a firefighter, died in the World Trade Center attacks.

Last week, Fossella and Crowley passed an amendment in the House that adds $20 million in funding under UASI. The Fossella/Crowley amendment, which passed the House unanimously as an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for FY 2007, transfers $20 million in additional funds from the Transportation Security Administration’s administrative budget to UASI. The amendment increases total funding under UASI to $770 million for FY 2007 – an increase of roughly $12.7 million over last year's level. The legislation is expected to pass the House next month and go to conference later this year with the equivalent Senate spending.

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