Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) issued the following statement as the House passed the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.  The legislation includes language waiving the 25% cost-sharing requirement for Port Security grants: 

The Los Angeles/Long Beach Port Complex -- the Nation’s busiest -- is a critical economic engine in my Congressional District and greater Southern California region.  It is also a top terror target.  Robust security at the Port Complex is vital to keeping people safe and ensuring trade isn’t disrupted.

Since the enactment of the SAFE Ports Act, hundreds of millions of dollars have been designated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Port Security Grant Program to enhance security at U.S. ports.  But tough financial times have made it difficult to bear the 25% cost-sharing requirement imposed on ports to be eligible for these grants.

I have heard time and again from officials at the Port Complex about the burdens of the matching requirement.  In fact, I invited DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to the Port Complex this spring so she could hear these concerns personally.

Now, as a result of congressional action, the cost-sharing requirement for Port Security Grants has been discontinued for the 2010 fiscal year. 

I applaud Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Price for eliminating the match. 

The matching requirement is a growing disincentive for taking DHS Port Security Grants.  Due to the economic climate, many ports are delaying implementation of security improvements.  This spring, Harman brought DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Port Complex to discuss security issues with port officials and community leaders.  The cost-sharing requirement was one of their primary concerns.