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9/11
Health 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Requested GAO Report which found HHS Should Provide Health Care Services to ALL 9/11 Responders Secured $50 Million for 9/11 Health Clinics
Education
No Child Left Behind Federal Funding for Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization
Energy Securing America’s Energy Future Encouraged Delivery Fleet in NYC to
Use Biodiesel
Financial
Services Protecting Consumers From Identity Theft Terrorism
Insurance Keeping
America Competitive
Health
Care Expanding Health Care Services on the North Shore Fighting
for the Future of Victory Memorial Supporting
Funding for Breast Cancer Research Working
to Reduce the Incidence of Diabetes Promoting
Men's Health Ensuring
Access to Vision Care for Children
Homeland
Security
Expanding Interoperable Communications
Strengthening New York Harbor
New York State Driver’s Licenses
Fighting Bioterrorism Bringing an Elite Anti-Terror Team to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn Protecting Staten Island’s Ports Fighting for More Anti-Terror Money for NYC Taxes Reducing the Tax Burden Caused by the Alternative Minimum Tax Eliminating the Death Tax Telecommunications Digital Television Transition
(DTV) Transportation
Fighting Traffic, Encouraging Transit
Highways and Bridges
New Proposed MTA Fare Hikes
Brooklyn Traffic Initiatives
Shore Parkway
Seawall
Veterans Fighting
for Veteran's Access to Health Care Working to Establish a Veterans Cemetery on Staten Island
Expanding Interoperable Communications
The 9/11 Commission recognized that interoperable communications systems, which allow police, fire and other emergency responders to communicate with each other, should be a top priority of any locality in preparing to respond to a potential terrorist strike or natural disaster. To that end, I was one of the primary architects of a new federal law that provides $1 billion in funding for localities to purchase state-of-the-art interoperable equipment or to expand current systems. That money will soon begin to flow to localities such as New York City seeking to expand their interoperable communications networks. To further this goal I, along with Reps. Bart Stupak and Eliot Engel, introduced legislation to create a permanent federal grant program of at least $500 million for interoperable communications.
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Fighting Traffic, Encouraging Transit
Bottlenecks at bridges and population growth outpacing infrastructure enhancements give Staten Islanders one of the nation’s longest commutes. Recognizing this problem, I am a strong supporter of expanding and improving mass transit. In Congress, I have worked hard to enhance ferry service, as well as secure funding for subway and ferry terminal improvements, the renovation of the 86th Street subway, a third bus depot on Staten Island, and lobbying for reactivation of the North Shore Railroad. I have also made headway in advancing Ferry safety.
To date, I have brought home $2.85 billion for lower Manhattan renovation and reconstruction, including funds for the South Ferry subway. I am also constantly fighting for appropriations to reactivate the North Shore Railroad’s passenger service and examine the development of a light rail transit system on Staten Island.
More recently, I was successful in pushing the MTA to establish a bus line from Staten Island to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail in New Jersey. This new bus line, the S89, will help alleviate some of the traffic heading into Manhattan and shorten commute times by giving Staten Islanders another alternative for their rush hour commutes.
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Strengthening New York Harbor
With cargo ships getting bigger and bigger, keeping the Port of New York and New Jersey deep is integral to ensuring it maintains prominence in national and international commerce. Working with my Congressional colleagues, we secured $110 million for dredging the channels into
New York Container Terminal and the rest of New York Harbor and secured an additional $90 million for the project in Fiscal Year 2007. The completion of these projects will ensure the Harbor keeps its status as one of the nation’s preeminent destinations for shippers, strengthening the regional economy. I will continue to fight for funding necessary for important harbor deepening projects to move forward.
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Highways and Bridges
In addition to advancing mass transit, I’m constantly fighting to alleviate traffic by improving our roads and bridges. In 2004, I secured $350,000 in federal funding to help implement highway speed E-ZPass on the Outerbridge Crossing, allowing motorists to continue traveling at regular speeds without having to stop or slow down to pay the toll. Early in 2005, I teamed up with the Amalgamated Transit Union calling on local transportation agencies to create and expand contraflow lanes on the Gowanus and Staten Island Expressways.
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New Proposed MTA Fare Hikes
The MTA is again proposing to increase fares on City Bus lines and Subways and to increase the toll on the Verrazano Bridge to $10. I fought the MTA last time it raised fares on the hard-working people of New York City, culminating in a lawsuit against the agency. I promise to fight even harder against these most recent proposals. To date, I have sent a letter to the MTA declaring my opposition to any fare hikes or toll increases. I am also encouraging residents to attend public hearings the MTA will be holding on this issue.
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Brooklyn Traffic Initiatives
During reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act (TEA-21, now known as SAFETEA-LU), the main federal surface transportation law, I secured $6 million for improvements on the 86th St. Subway station in Brooklyn. This same legislation included authorization for ferry service from Brooklyn Army Terminal to Manhattan.
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Shore Parkway Seawall
Working with the Mayor’s Office, New York City Parks Dept, the federal Army Corps of Engineers and Community Board 10, I took the lead to renovate the Shore Parkway bikepath and walking path from 69th Street to the Verrazano Bridge. The $20 million project, funded by the City, included the complete revitalization of this jewel on the water, including the removal of all loose material and grout from the seawall, the installation of a new rip rap boulder seawall, including 60,000 pounds of boulders, restoration of the original concrete wall, face blocks and coping stone, installation of new asphalt pavement, aluminum railing, benches and a chain link fence. Parks also replaced DEP storm sewer outlets, installed pavement markings on the Greenway for cyclists and pedestrians and planted new trees.
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Protecting Consumers From Identity Theft
I have supported efforts to protect consumers from identity theft by stiffening criminal penalties for those convicted, increasing access to consumer credit reports and credit monitoring services. I am also currently working on legislation to strengthen personal data security requirements for financial institutions that hold sensitive information about customers.
I supported the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act to establish a national system of fraud detection to catch identity thieves before they run up charges on consumer credit. In addition, the FACT Act makes it possible for consumers to gain access to a free credit report annually, and allows consumers to notify all three credit bureaus through just one call to a bureau of their choosing.
In 2004, I voted for the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act to stiffen criminal penalties for identity theft. In addition, the bill established the notion of "aggravated identity theft" which can be charged anytime someone knowingly uses another person's identification in conjunction with any other felony violation. It instantly adds two years onto a prison sentence.
Financial institutions and other businesses that hold personal information about their customers should be responsible for establishing high standards for securing that information. I supported two bills that would set uniform standards for securitizing personal data, safeguard against data breaches when such information is transferred, and require immediate and comprehensive notification to customers in the situation in which the security of personal data may have been compromised.
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New York State Driver’s Licenses
When Governor Spitzer announced his administrative changes for the issuance of New York State Driver’s Licenses, I raised concern that this proposal would conflict with provisions of the Federal REAL ID act passed in 2005. The Act set forth federal requirements that States must match in order for their licenses to be valid for “federal purposes” – defined as boarding a commercial flight in the U.S, entering a federal building, or gaining access to a nuclear facility. If the New York Driver’s License is not compliant with the REAL ID Act when it comes into effect in 2013, all New Yorkers would be forced to carry a second ID document such as a US Passport for even domestic air travel. With this in mind, I sent a letter to the Governor soon after the announcement sharing my concerns with him and asking for more information on his plan. UPDATE
- 11/13 - Today I introduced legislation modeled after the 2000
legislation which prompted states to adopt a uniform blood alcohol
content limit of .08% in an attempt to increases states participation in
the REAL ID program. My legislation will also repeal the loophole
in REAL ID that allows states to offer driver's licenses to illegal
aliens UPDATE
- 11/14 - Governor Spitzer today withdrew his plan to offer driver's
licenses to illegal aliens in New York State.
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Digital Television Transition (DTV)
On February 17th, 2009 all US broadcasters will cease to broadcast their content with the traditional analog signal many of us are used to today. Beginning on that date, television signals will be broadcast only in digital. The new digital broadcasts will bring improved picture quality to over-the-air televisions as well as the possibility of a greater number of channels made available over the air for free. The vacated analog spectrum will be auctioned off with a large block reserved for use by public safety for first responder interoperable communications networks with the rest sold to commercial entities for the development of next-generation consumer electronics devices designed to bring more content and functionality to the palm of your hand.
This also means that if you are currently receiving over-the-air television signals on a TV set you purchased before May 2007, you will either need a digital-to-analog converter box or you will need to purchase a new television set with a digital tuner to be able to continue to view your favorite programming. As much as $1.5 billion from the spectrum auction will be dedicated by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to provide $40 coupons to anyone who wishes to purchase one of the set-top boxes. For more information about the coupon program, please visit the NTIA’s website [will include link] and for more information on the DTV transition in general please visit dtvtransition.org. [will include link]
Please Note that if you currently receive your television signals from a cable or satellite provider, no action will be necessary on your part and you will continue to receive your pay tv as you currently do.
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Reducing the Tax Burden Caused by the Alternative Minimum Tax
The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) was designed to prevent the nation's highest earners from using special tax benefits to pay little or no federal tax. Unfortunately, in recent years a growing number of middle-income Americans have been unfairly forced to pay the AMT. In addition, the AMT is one of the most complex and confusing taxes, making it nearly impossible for accountants to calculate whether an individual would be required to pay it in any given year. This year, I have co-sponsored legislation that would completely eliminate the AMT, HR 1366. This bill would protect 24 million mostly middle-income Americans from being hit with higher federal tax bills next year by shielding them from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
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Eliminating the Death Tax
The estate tax in the United States is a tax imposed on the transfer of the "taxable estate" of a deceased person. The death tax ranges between 38% and 55%, yet it has only produced less than 1% of total tax revenues in recent years. I have recently co-sponsored legislation, HR 2380, that would completely eliminate the death tax. It is unfortunate that the American people are forced to pay this unfair and exorbitant tax. While I supported similar legislation in the 109th Congress, the Senate failed to Act. I will continue my efforts to eliminate the death tax on hard-working Americans families.
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No Child Left Behind
Congress passed this landmark legislation six years ago, and it has shown proven results for our children. In Staten Island today, 49% of eighth-graders passed the math exam compared to 31% in 1999 while almost 81% of fourth-graders passed the math exam compared to 63% in 1999. In Brooklyn, 56% of Eight-graders passed the math exam compared to 30% in 1999 while 85% of fourth-graders passed the math exam compared to 70% in 1999. While there have been great successes in regards to NCLB, there are also a number of areas where improvements can be made. I have recently begun meeting with local school districts, teachers, and parents throughout Staten Island and Brooklyn in an attempt to hear many of those concerns so I can bring them back to Congress as we work to improve the law. I want to provide all children with the best possible learning environment in all of our schools.
Additional information: House
GOP Education and Labor Committee K-12 Education page
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Federal Funding for Education
Federal education spending has nearly tripled in 10 years to about $90 billion annually. For Pell grants, Congress has invested a record $13 billion each year – with the maximum Pell award increasing 64 percent over the past decade. I have been a strong supporter of increasing the Pell Grant awards for students in Congress. I have also voted to increase loan limits so students can access even more aid; reduced loan fees so students can keep more of what they borrow, and established a new $4.5 billion grant program for low-income, high-achieving high school students.
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Reauthorization
Near the end of the 108th Congress, the House passed the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). This legislation removed many legal impediments for parents to amend their child’s education programs as well as allowed increased flexibility for both parents and schools. The goal is to make it easier for schools and parents to provide the highest level of education possible for students with disabilities. I have worked with parents, teachers, and schools to produce reforms that make special education stronger for students and parents; ensure school safety and reasonable discipline; reduce unnecessary lawsuits and litigation; support teachers and schools; reform special education funding, and build on historic funding increases. In the 110th Congress, I am continuing to work on these important reforms to ensure that they are implemented in a way that matches the spirit of the bipartisan 2004 law.
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Fighting Bioterrorism
As a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I was a key player in passing the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-188). This bill requires drinking water facilities to conduct vulnerability assessments and prepare security plans. It also implements new protections on food and drug supplies and increases stockpiles of antibiotics and vaccines. Since passage of the bill, I have worked to strengthen controls on biological agents, while increasing bioterrorism funding 300% to $6 billion.
In addition, I continue to lead the fight to have federal bioterrorism preparedness dollars allocated to states and cities based upon threat level. Similar to homeland security funding, a skewed formula that does not factor risk results in low-threat areas like Wyoming getting almost 8 times as much in per capita funding as New York City. Read my
report examining the City’s efforts in bioterrorism preparedness and the need for increased funding.
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Insurance
In 2002 , Congress passed and President Bush signed into law the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which provided a temporary solution for the lack of available terrorism insurance for large construction projects and other buildings in need of terrorism insurance. The effects of the legislation were significant billions of dollars were released into the marketplace for construction projects in lower Manhattan, putting people back to work and revitalizing the lower Manhattan economy.
Congress reauthorized TRIA in 2005 for an additional two years and it is again set to expire at the end of this year. On September 19th, 2007 I voted for the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act (HR 2761) that reauthorizes TRIA for another 15 years. While it has been my hope the markets would prove robust enough to allow the program to expire, the market for terrorism insurance has remained insufficient, particularly for areas like New York City and the area around the World Trade Center. As we remain engaged in the War on Terror we must be certain the expiration or reduction of TRIA is not premature and detrimental to the continued growth of our economy and the recovery and rebuilding efforts after September 11th. We are currently awaiting action in the Senate.
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To Top Expanding Health Care Services on the North Shore
In 2005, I helped secure $3 million from Mayor Bloomberg to establish a community health center on the North Shore to provide primary care to the areas medically underserved residents. The health clinic is up and running, and the entire health care community on Staten Island has contributed to its development to ensure the center serves the needs of the North Shore population.
In addition, I continue the fight for an equitable distribution of City tax dollars for Staten Island’s health care system. Staten Island receives inequitable city funding relative to the other four boroughs, and we are working on bringing parity to the delivery of money from the city. Back
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Fighting
for the Future of Victory Memorial
Amidst uncertainty about the future of Victory Memorial, I have fought to maintain health services at Victory’s campus to ensure Southwest Brooklyn’s residents have access to the care they need and deserve. In particular, I have urged Governor Spitzer and the New York State Department of Health to accept a proposal by SUNY Downstate to purchase the campus. An essential component of SUNY’s proposal is the maintenance of emergency room services – something that is critical in reducing wait times and providing access for emergency care in Brooklyn.
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Supporting
Funding for Breast Cancer Research
As breast cancer continues to plague family members and friends at increasing rates, the need for research into the causes and possible treatments for breast cancer is greater than ever. That is why I have and will continue to support funding for the breast cancer research program at the Department of Defense. A continued partnership between public and private research programs will be our best plan to move forward towards a cure.
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Fighting
for Veteran's Access to Health Care
I vigorously opposed proposal s by the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Realignment Enhancement (CARES) Commission that could have led to the closure of the Brooklyn VA. To protect this first-class medical facility, I testified twice before the Local Advisory Panel urging the Commission to reject closure of the Brooklyn VA and also hosted VA Secretary James Nicholson and Congressman Steve Buyer, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, for tours of the Brooklyn VA Hospital to highlight its unique and irreplaceable role in the delivery of health care to New York City’s veterans. With the help of veterans throughout Staten Island and Brooklyn, we were successful in thwarting the VA’s plans and keeping the hospital’s doors open.
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Working
to Reduce the Incidence of Diabetes There are currently an estimated 20.8 million children and adults living with diabetes in America. Additionally, more than $132 billion is spent on the treatment of diabetes in the United States each year. One of out every ten health care dollars spent in the U.S. is spent on diabetes-related care. Clearly, we need to take action to reduce the incidence of diabetes and to help those diagnosed manage and treat the disease. With Democratic Representative Eliot Engel and Senator Hillary Clinton, I have introduced two pieces of legislation this Congress to address the growing prevalence of diabetes. The first, the Gestational Diabetes Act of 2007 (GEDI Act), aims to lower the incidence of gestational diabetes and prevent women afflicted with the condition and their children from developing Type 2 diabetes. The second, the Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Act, would increase our ability prevent new cases of diabetes through enhanced surveillance of diabetes cases, as well as improve our ability to manage the disease. Back
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Men's Health This year, I joined with Representative Baron Hill from Indiana to form the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. The goal of the Caucus is to raise awareness about men’s health issues and to help formulate Congress’ role in promoting the health of America’s men. The gap in life expectancy between men and women is growing -- in 1920 it was only 1 year and by 2002 it had climbed 6 years. This is due, in part, to a lack of education and awareness among men about their own health. In fact, a recent study by the department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that women are 100% more likely than men to visit the doctor. To help reduce this disparity, I introduced legislation, HR 1440, the Men’s Health Act, to create an Office of Men’s Health at HHS (similar to the Offices of Women’s Health throughout the Department) to monitor and coordinate efforts at the state and federal level to improve the health of America’s men. Our focus should not only be on educating men, but also educating women because it is often the women in men’s lives that ultimately influence their decisions to visit a doctor. Back
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Access to Vision Care for Children It is well documented that without adequate access to vision screening and treatment for eye disorders, a child’s entire learning and development can be adversely affected. For children that do not qualify for a public program and do not have health insurance, assistance in catching potential eye disorders early is critical. That is why I introduced legislation with Rep. Gene Green from Texas, the Vision Care for Kids Act (HR 507), to provide $65 million in federal funding for comprehensive eye exams and follow-up treatment for uninsured children. On October 15th, 2007 HR 507 passed in the House of Representatives unanimously by voice vote. Back
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America Competitive Keeping America’s capital markets competitive in an increasingly global economy is vital for the health of the New York and U.S. economies. The financial services sector is particularly vital to New York City – it represents 15% of the gross city product. In addition, it accounts for a third of the city’s tax base – essential to the construction and maintenance of the city’s schools, roads, parks and hospitals. In addition, the success of the financial services sector is important for the availability of quality jobs in all sectors. A recent study by the New York State Comptroller found that every securities job accounts for two additional jobs.
Recent trends point to the unfortunate reality that New York, and the U.S. as a whole, is declining as the global financial leader. As countries like China and India continue to emerge as burgeoning marketplaces, global investors and businesses have more choices about where to send their money and where to headquarter their businesses. Our regulatory and legal environment should reflect this new reality. Today, we need to attract capital where in past years it came to the U.S. naturally.
At the beginning of 2007, I was asked to chair a new Task Force for the Republican Policy Committee: The Task Force on Capital Markets, Economic and Information Security. The Task Force is charged with examining America’s competitive position internationally and to make recommendations for reforms that will allow our capital markets to compete in the 21st century.
For the past several months, I have been traveling to different financial centers throughout the United States to speak to the people on the ground – the people that are fueling innovation and growth for the American economy. I’ve met with a wide range of market participants, from securities traders to biotechnology companies.
In the coming months, I will put forth legislative proposals based upon what I’ve heard around the country. These proposals will be aimed at ensuring the continued and future strength of the American markets and the New York City economy.
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To Top 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
I worked in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues from the New York City Delegation to introduce the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which is strongly supported by the New York State AFL-CIO, that would ensure that everyone exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero has a right to be medically monitored and anyone who is sick as a result has a right to treatment. The bill would also:
• Expand care to the whole exposed community, including residents, area workers and students, and to the thousands of people who came from across the country to respond to the 9/11 attacks;
• Provide compensation for economic damages and losses by reopening the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, and
• Build on the expertise of the Centers of Excellence (currently at the FDNY, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, Queens College, SUNY Stony Brook, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey), which are providing high-quality health care to thousands of responders.
The bill would also require the federal government to collect data about and research the extent and severity of WTC-related illnesses. Specifically, the legislation would establish and fund Coordinating Centers of Excellence to collect and analyze data, coordinate outreach, and develop medical monitoring and treatment protocols; and require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct or support research about conditions that may be WTC-related, and about diagnosing and treating WTC-related conditions.
This legislation will provide medical care and compensation to thousands of Americans who are suffering as the direct result of an act of war. This bill will help the heroes of 9/11 have waited far too long for the care and compensation they deserve.
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Requested GAO Report which found HHS Should Provide Health Care Services to ALL 9/11 Responders
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report I requested with a bipartisan group of members showed that some World Trade Center first responders don’t have access to the thorough, uninterrupted health screening and monitoring services they need.
Health monitoring is the key to understanding the long-term health impacts of 9/11. It is also essential to diagnosing medical conditions early on and getting those who have been exposed the treatment they need before a disease progresses. I will continue fighting to ensure that monitoring and treatment are made available to all individuals who were exposed to the air over Ground Zero.
According to the GAO, the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Federal Responder Screening Program has been unable to guarantee federal first responders access to uninterrupted health screening and monitoring services. The GAO also found that efforts to provide similar screening and monitoring services to nonfederal responders living outside of the New York City area are incomplete and intermittent.
In its report, the GAO recommended that the Secretary of HHS “expeditiously ensure that screening and monitoring services are available for (1) federal responders and (2) nonfederal responders residing outside the NYC area.
The GAO report is the fifth in a series on 9/11 health I commissioned along with my bipartisan colleagues.
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I worked with members of the House Committee on Appropriations to include funding in the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill, which totaled $50,000,000, for federally-funded 9/11 health clinics. The report language for the "Labor HHS" appropriations bill also calls on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deliver its long-awaited plan to deliver health monitoring to everyone exposed to Ground Zero toxins and health treatment to anyone who is sick as a result. While the bill's report language is not binding, it is an important and powerful tool for Congress to obtain information from the Administration. This funding is key to ensuring that the unsung heroes of 9/11 have access to the care they need. Back
To Top Working to Establish a Veterans Cemetery on Staten Island
I have been working to pass a bill I authored (H.R.2346) that could help make it easier to establish a veterans cemetery or veterans mausoleum on Staten Island. I testified in support of this legislation that would establish new, statutory criteria for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to consider when determining where to establish a national veterans cemetery during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
Testifying at the hearing was one more step forward in our efforts to establish a veterans cemetery on Staten Island. The criteria used by the VA does not take into account real-world factors like traffic congestion, the availability of public transportation or even population density. This puts areas like New York at a disadvantage when competing for limited resources to establish a national cemetery. Veterans in New York City and other urban areas should not be underserved simply because of where they have chosen to make their home. My bill would remove one more obstacle that stands in the way of establishing a veterans cemetery on Staten Island.
My bill would require the VA to consider the following factors when establishing a new veterans cemetery:
• Number of veterans living in the area;
• Average distance a resident must travel to reach the nearest national cemetery;
• Average amount of time it takes a resident to travel to the nearest national cemetery;
• Availability of public transportation to travel to national cemeteries;
• Population density, and
• Imposition of tolls.
The bill also would also require the VA to consider alternatives to a cemetery, such as mausoleums, in the event of insufficient acreage. Current considerations by the VA are not statutory and are based almost entirely on whether there is another cemetery within 75 miles.
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To Top Bringing an Elite Anti-Terror Team to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn Recently I helped clear a major hurdle in establishing an elite terror response team at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. I fought for and helped approved $3.8 million for the operation of the New York City’s first and only “Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team” (CST). Without the funding, the federal government might have been forced to abandon plans to establish the unit. The funding, which was included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Department Appropriations bill, would allow the unit to continue organizing and help pay for training, equipment maintenance and salaries of Army and Air National Guard personnel who comprise the CST.
The highly-specialized CST is an elite terror response team made up of Army and Air National Guard personnel and brings unique capabilities to local first responders across the state. The highly-trained, 22-member team deploys rapidly to assist emergency management personnel in determining the nature of an incident of known or suspected chemical, biological or radiological agents.
The CST members search out possible chemical, biological or radiological contaminants, sample and analyze them to identify potential toxic substances with a state of the art mobile analytical laboratory. It also provides medical and technical advice, and facilitates the identification and arrival of follow-on state and federal response assets. The unit’s mobile Unified Command Suite provides secure worldwide voice, video and data access to military and federal networks and a skill-bank of technical experts at places like the Pentagon and The Centers for Disease Control.
In May, I helped cleared a critical hurdle by securing the commitment to site the CST at Fort Hamilton. Prior to that, I worked with the New York State Congressional delegation to include $4.8 million in the Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Department Appropriations bill to start-up the unit. I also helped secured the agreement to transfer an additional $3 million for the CST.
The remaining hurdles include passing legislative language this year to increase the number of authorized CSTs nationwide from 55 to 57, which cleared the House in May, and ensuring the additional funding for FY 2008 is passed by the Senate.
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Protecting Staten Island’s Ports
I helped arrange the first ever port security review of Staten Island to enhance safety and preparedness at local facilities. Congressional investigators assessed the ability of Howland Hook and other critical ports to prevent terrorist attacks. The review also examined officials’ ability to detect weapons of mass destruction terrorists may try to smuggle into the country through seaports. I have been a key player in many other efforts to secure America’s ports. I am also responsible for passing legislation bringing over $41 million dollars in port security grants to the Port of New York and New Jersey. In addition, I will continue to study and advance different ways to enhance security at our ports as a Member of the House Port Security Caucus.
Following my successful effort to prevent a Dubai company from gaining control of six American ports, I became an original cosponsor of a bill that would require Congressional oversight of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the interagency group that approved DP World’s acquisition of six American ports. The Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007 (HR 556) requires a mandatory 45-day investigation of any transaction involving companies controlled by foreign governments and requires a notice to bipartisan congressional leadership and to every congressional committee with jurisdiction over any aspect of a transaction after such an investigation.
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Fighting for More Anti-Terror Money for NYC
Following the recent 40% cut in New York’s homeland security funding, I proposed legislation to reform the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grants program to avoid future reductions to high-threat cities like New York. The legislation, the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Enhancement and Authorization Act (H.R. 5595), would require all UASI grants to be distributed based only on risk (defined as threat, vulnerability and consequences) and eliminate all needs-based variables. For instance, a locality is currently eligible for funding if it can prove it needs a haz-mat truck even though it does not face the threat of a chemical, biological or radiological attack. Under the legislation, that locality would not receive funding. UASI is clearly broken, and this bill would fix its shortcomings by requiring every dollar be directed to cities that face legitimate threats.
I also criticized the decision by the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide only a slight increase in high-threat funding for New York City for Fiscal Year 2007.
New York is expected to receive a total of $134 million in Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grants for Fiscal Year 2007 – an increase of 8% vs. last year but $73 million less than the city received the previous year, according to published reports. UASI funding for the City was slashed 40% in Fiscal Year 2006 vs. 2005.
The slight increase for this year can be attributed, in part, to an amendment I help author that boosted overall UASI funding by $20 million, to $770 million for FY 2007.
Lastly, I recently teamed up with Congressmen Joseph Crowley, Doris Matsui and Scott Garrett to introduce and pass an amendment in the House that adds $50 million in funding for UASI. The measure, which passed the House 244-174 as an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for FY 2008, increases total funding under UASI to $850 million for FY 2008 – an increase of $80 million over last year’s level.
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Securing America’s Energy Future
With America in dire need of a national energy policy, Congress took steps to alleviate gasoline and natural gas prices, create jobs and boost domestic production of resources and renewable energy to reduce our reliance on foreign oil.
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Encouraged Delivery Fleet in NYC to
Use Biodiesel
I have proposed the innovative, environmentally-friendly suggestion to the McDonald’s Corporation after the Golden Arches announced that it would convert its entire British fleet of delivery trucks to biodiesel produced from grease from its own restaurants. I encouraged the company to bring this model initiative to the Big Apple as a pilot project in a letter to McDonald’s President and Chief Operating Officer Ralph Alvarez.
I’m also a cosponsor of legislation to double the tax credit for making biodiesel fuel from recycled restaurant grease from $.50/gallon to $1.00/gallon. The legislation would make the restaurant grease tax credit equal to an existing tax credit for producing biodiesel from virgin agricultural products like soybean.
Biodiesel represents a clean, affordable, environmentally-friendly and domestically-produced alternative to foreign petroleum. The use of biodiesel significantly reduces emissions of harmful pollutants that cause global warming, acid rain, smog and ozone. Simply, this premium diesel protects our health, economy and security.
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