Congress created the Emergency Management Performance Grant in the mid-1990 to give state and local governments more flexibility and control over their local emergency management needs. The grants are unique in that they provide a 50% federal match in funding to states that may be used for several purposes, including hiring local personnel to build a national emergency management capacity. 

Since the Program’s institution however, its funding has not been maximized. Arkansas’s state and local emergency management officials assured me that with only a slight increase in funding, they can do so much more to expand programs and services to protect our local communities.   

While at this time there is not enough funding for first responders, I am proud of the successes we have had in bringing home funding to help our police officers and firefighters get the resources they need to do their jobs and protect our communities. For example, in the past year I have helped bring home approximately $3.8 million in aid for our local fire departments through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. This program provides a funding source to many of our rural volunteer fire departments in my congressional district, that would not be able to get supplies they need such as turnouts and fire trucks.  

There is no question that supplying our men and women in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan with the proper tools they need to complete their mission and return home quickly and safely to their families is a top priority, and I will always support legislation that gives them everything they need. But in the weeks and months ahead as Congress continues to debate homeland security funding, it is critical that we be mindful of the fact that local and rural communities play a vital role in protecting our communities here at home. 

Our nation has focused heavily on providing aid to potential terrorist targets such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., but we must be mindful that rural America is still vulnerable. As a Member of Congress who understands the needs of our rural communities, rest assured I will do all I can to give our local communities the tools they need to protect our families here at home.

The following is a full transcript of Ross’s remarks: 

“I appreciate the Secretary coming to testify today and like many of my colleagues, I am deeply concerned about some of the proposals in the Administration’s budget in regards to Medicaid.   

“Medicaid serves over one-quarter of the total population of Arkansas.  More than half of these recipients are children.  In Fiscal Year 2004, nearly 700,000 children and adults were eligible for medical care through the Medicaid program.  Seventy-five percent of the nursing home patients in Arkansas are provided care through Medicaid.  

“Last week, I met with Governor Mike Huckabee, and he expressed concerns regarding the sustainability of Medicaid and the impact of any reduction of federal assistance with administering the program. Therefore, as the Administration develops its changes to state funding rules, administrative payment cuts, and other “reforms”, please do not lose sight of those who need Medicaid to live.”

The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 (H.R. 310), would raise the maximum fine for a broadcaster, per violation, from $32,500 to $500,000, and would increase the penalty for a performer, also per violation, from $11,000 to $500,000. The bill also would give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) more authority to revoke the licenses of repeat offenders.  The legislation does not pertain to cable and satellite television or radio. 

"Given the considerable influence television and radio have on millions of young people, it is important for television stations and performers to practice more vigilance in the material they choose to air. None of us will ever forget the stunt that occurred during last year's Super Bowl Halftime show, but with this legislation, stations and performers will finally be held accountable."  

This bill also requires the FCC to consider mitigating factors in the event penalties are imposed, including: whether the material uttered by the violator was live or recorded, scripted or unscripted; whether the violator had a reasonable opportunity to review recorded or scripted programming; or whether the time delay blocking mechanism was implemented for the programming; or the size of the viewing or listening audience.  

"I firmly believe that Congress' effort coupled with network presidents' more vigorous scrutiny of programming will work to curb objectionable content within programs," said Ross. "A fine of $27,500 may not do much to change the behavior of a broadcaster or entertainer who has millions, but I can assure you that half-a-million will."