 |
“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Pelosi: 'We Need to Do More for Homeland Security'
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi , Rep. Jim Turner, Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. George Miller, Co-Chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, met this morning with top leaders of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, President Joseph Samuels of Richmond, Calif. and Vice President Joseph Polisar of Garden Grove, Calif., to discuss issues related to law enforcement and homeland security funding. The chiefs association represents more than 19,000 police executives in more than 100 countries.
Afterward, the group met with the media to discuss the need to increase the amount of money for homeland security in the emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill Congress is debating this week. The following is a statement issued by Leader Pelosi:
"Good morning. As the House Appropriations Committee is debating President Bush’s request for a Supplemental, one of the issues of debate there being increased funding for homeland security, I’m pleased to welcome to the Capitol, Chief Joseph Samuels Jr. of Richmond, California, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Chief of the Richmond California Police Department. And Chief Joe Polisar from Garden Grove, California, who is also with us and will be the next President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
"Also with us is our Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Jim Turner of Texas, and Congressman George Miller, who represents Chief Samuels in Richmond, California.
"The $4.25 billion request of the Administration for homeland security is certainly a step in the right direction, but it is simply not enough.
"In the Appropriations Committee now, Congressman Dave Obey of Wisconsin is presenting his proposal for $8.2 billion, which will have a significant increase in funding to assist our first responders, such as police and firefighters.
"Responding to needs that have been brought to us by first responders, the package would include $1.2 billion for grants for improvements in communications equipment for police, fire and emergency personnel, and assistance to firefighters. It would include half a billion dollars in grants to port authorities to enhance security and $1 billion to upgrade security at the nation’s airports and to increase the law enforcement presence at our borders.
"Anti-terrorism efforts are very important, but they should not be funded at the expense of existing anti-crime programs, which also have an important role in preventing terrorism.
"A month or so ago, when the Congress passed the Omnibus spending bill that had the funding for fiscal year 2003, but left over from last year, Senator Daschle and I called attention to the fact that it seriously underfunded homeland security needs. The Administration said no, the money is there, there’s sufficient money to meet the needs. We protested, and when the White House finally looked at the numbers in its own bill that the President signed, they had to admit that the funding wasn’t there. That it didn’t add up. It didn’t meet the needs.
"Now we have another opportunity, with the Supplemental for 2003, to make the funds match the need and end the chasm-the credibility gap between the rhetoric on what the Administration says about homeland security and the reality of what it puts in the budget.
"The Chiefs today help us document the need in a very specific, timely way. Because, as you know, the debate is going on right now in the Appropriations Committee. We will support that Supplemental, because it funds our men and women in uniform in Iraq and other needs, and because it has funding for our men and women in uniform domestically who are keeping our communities safe.
"But we need to do more than the President has in his Supplemental request. And hopefully with the documentation of the need, the representation of members of the leadership of 19,000 police officers, representing the full spectrum from rural to urban, that the Administration will listen and will agree to Congressman Obey’s request for $8.2 billion additional funding over and above the $4.25 the Administration has in its Supplemental request."
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
