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West Palm Beach, FL -- Congressman Ron Klein (FL – 22) will hold a press conference on Monday, December 10, 2007 at the Port of Palm Beach with members of the county’s first responder community, port officials and county representatives to discuss the Administration’s proposed cuts and allow the media to hear firsthand what these cuts would mean to the county.
The press conference will take place Monday, at 11:45 AM at the Port of Palm Beach, One East 11th Street, in Riviera Beach.
"Our community - and its institutions are not in a position to weather cuts to their homeland security budgets. We must continue to take the threats to our ports, airports and railways very seriously," said Klein. "As the representative of Florida's 22nd district, which includes two ports and several airports, and miles of rail line, I know how important it is to allocate this important homeland security funding. We must be vigilant in ensuring that security is the highest priority."
WHAT: Klein to Hold Press Conference on Proposed Cuts of Homeland Security Grants
WHEN: 11:45 AM on Monday, December 10th
WHERE: Port of Palm Beach
One East 11th Street
Riviera Beach, FL
Congressman Klein joined Democrats and Republicans in voting for H.R. 2638 the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. Some of the highlights include:
- This bill also makes a critical commitment to improving port security – which has been neglected under the Bush Administration. It provides $400 million for port security grants, which is $190 million over FY 2007 and the President's request.
- The bill also makes providing first responders with the training and equipment they need a top priority – rejecting the $1 billion in cuts in key first responder programs proposed by the President and instead providing funding above FY 2007.
- The bill contains key provisions to improve aviation security – providing $849 million for explosive detection systems at airports, 62 percent above FY 2007 and 16 percent above the President’s request, and providing funding to double the amount of cargo screened on passenger aircraft.
- This bill makes border security a top priority – providing funding for 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents in FY 2008 – which will bring the number of Border Patrol agents to 17,819 by the end of FY 2008.
- The bill includes strong accountability measures to make sure that taxpayer dollars are being well-spent, including requiring that contracts be competitively bid.
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