Homeland Security Newsletter

Dear Reader:

Congress has been working hard on many homeland security issues this year. Please read on for a brief update on what's been happening in Washington, DC.

House Passes Homeland Security Authorization

On May 18, 2005, the House passed the first ever Homeland Security Authorization Bill.

This legislation will provide the Department of Homeland Security with the resources and authority to train to prevent and prepare for potential terrorist attacks, and be ready to respond and recover in the event that we are attacked. In crafting this legislation, we focused on making improvements in the key areas of Counter-terrorism Technology, Border Enforcement, Improving the Notification System for Raised threat-Levels, Cargo Screening and Intelligence.

House Passes Fiscal Year 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations

On May 17, 2005, the House passed the FY06 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The House spending bill provides $30.85 billion for operations and activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), an increase of $1.37 billion.

Highlights Include:

• Protecting our Nation's Borders and Revitalizing Immigration Enforcement
• The bill provides $19.4 billion for border protection, immigration enforcement, and related activities, an increase of $1.9 billion. The bill also requires DHS to submit a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy that reduces the number of undocumented aliens by 10 percent per year.

• Supporting State and Local First Responders
• The bill provides $3.6 billion for first responders, including grants to high threat areas, firefighters, and emergency management. Since September 11, 2001, $32.4 billion has been provided to first responders.

• Enhancing Transportation Security
• The bill continues efforts to enhance security for all modes of transportation, including ports, rails, and aviation, with a focus on research and development of next generation technologies to inspect baggage, passengers and cargo. In total, the bill provides $6.4 billion for TSA and Federal Air Marshals.

• Using Science and Technology to Protect our Nation
• The bill provides $1.34 billion for research, development, and deployment of innovative technologies, including those proposed by universities, national laboratories, not-for-profit organizations, and private companies.

Congress increases funding for Fire-fighter First Response Grant Programs

During consideration of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, the House voted in support of an amendment I offered with Congressmen Sabo, Weldon, Price and Hoyer. Our amendment provided an additional $50 million for our nation’s firefighters. I offered this amendment to help support those on the front lines maintaining our safety.

The first $25 million in our amendment will fund the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters, S.A.F.E.R. Act, which provides funding to hire and train additional staff to address the current firefighter shortage. An estimated 2/3 of all jurisdictions do not currently meet safe-staffing levels. The remaining $25 million increases the funding allocated for the Assistance to Fire Fighter grant program, which awards grants directly to local fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of firefighting personnel.

Threat-Based Funding Victories Abound

In the 108th Congress, I introduced H.R. 2512, a bill that would reallocate Homeland Security First Responder Grant Funds based on a formula of threat, vulnerability and consequence. The legislation is necessary to ensure that critical homeland security funds are not just doled out to states without taking the level of threat into consideration. States like New York and California and other border states certainly face a higher threat level than others. While all states do need to increase their level of preparedness, limited resources need to be allocated in the efficient and cost-effective manner. And all states still receive a minimum level of funding. After my bill was introduced, Homeland Security Chairman Chris Cox (R-CA) introduced HR 3266, the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2004. This bill incorporated my language and directed funds to be distributed based on threat, vulnerability and consequence.

My language was also added to last year’s House Intelligence Reform bill, but was not included in the final version. At the beginning of this Congress, I reintroduced my legislation as H.R. 228. Largely as a result of my efforts, President Bush's budget included language that directs First Responder Grants to be allocated based on "risks, threats, vulnerabilities, and unmet essential capabilities" and Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, has reiterated this concept time and again since taking over administration of the Department.

In April, Chairman Cox again introduced the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responder Act. This legislation, which passed on May 12th, included my funding language. In addition, the House Homeland Appropriations bill included language reiterating that First Responder Grants should be allocated based on threat, vulnerability and consequences.

I am pleased that the fight I've been leading for two years is being won. Now we must make sure that the Senate supports this critical component of homeland security and sends a bill to the President that includes these measures as well. It is important to ensure that homeland security spending is directly related to national security preparedness, and not political pork.