Westmoreland supports reform of security funding
Washington,
May 12, 2005 -
U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland voted for the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act, which passed the House by a wide, bipartisan margin today.
"This legislation will implement needed reforms on our system of homeland security funding," Westmoreland said. "This will set standards, require better planning for security funding and cut down on pork-barrel spending. Just this week, we evacuated the Capitol because we were worried about a plane flying into restricted airspace around Washington. Obviously, not all parts of this country are equally vulnerable to terrorist attacks. We need to take that into consideration and put our money where the greatest threats lie. These should be practical decisions, not political decisions, and I think this act will take us in that direction. I’m optimistic that the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act will not only make us safer, but it will also stop wasteful spending and get resources where they are needed more quickly.
"Smarter security funding will, in the end, benefit Georgia. We don’t get as much money per capita as most states do – even though metro Atlanta has one of the largest concentrations of federal infrastructure, including the CDC, in the country. Atlanta is the backbone of the Southeastern economy and has the world’s busiest airport. We must have a strong homeland security program in place and that takes plenty of resources."
The legislation takes several steps to reform homeland security funding.
Priority assistance to first responders facing greatest risk.
Terrorists are not arbitrary in selecting their targets; we cannot be arbitrary in protecting our nation.
First Responder Grant Board will help prioritize grant applications based on threat, vulnerability, and consequences of a terrorist attack.
9/11 Commission Report:
"Homeland security assistance should be based strictly on an assessment of risks and vulnerabilities… [F]ederal homeland security assistance should not remain a program for general revenue sharing. It should supplement state and local resources based on the risks or vulnerabilities that merit additional support. Congress should not use this money as a pork barrel."
Streamlined terrorism preparedness grants.
Instead of waiting until monies are received to begin planning how to spend them, the planning process is moved ahead of the grants.
Grantees’ homeland security plans must be in place before they get taxpayer money.
Grant applications must fit with the statewide homeland security plans, and specify exactly how the money will be spent.
States must make grant awards to first responders within 45 days—or face penalties.
Specific, flexible, and measurable goals for state and local government terrorism preparedness.
The Secretary of Homeland Security will develop standards for first responder equipment and training.
Clear goals for national preparedness will help states and localities avoid wasteful spending, and improve preparedness in specific and measurable ways.
Regional terrorism preparedness grants.
Not only states but also regions, both intrastate and interstate, may apply for terrorism preparedness grants.
Regional planning and coordination are encouraged in all grant applications.
Regional grant requests will be consistent with statewide homeland security plans.
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