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LINDER SUPPORTS PASSAGE OF “FASTER AND SMARTER FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT”
May 12, 2005
On Thursday, May 12, Congressman John Linder (R-GA), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, joined his colleagues in voting to approve H.R. 1544, the “Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005,” by a vote of 409-10. H.R. 1544 implements the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States’ (also known as the 9/11 Commission) recommendation to provide priority assistance to first responders facing the greatest risk.
Congressman Linder’s statement on H.R. 1544 is as follows:
“In 1787, John Jay wrote, ‘Among the many objects to which a wise and free people find it necessary to direct their attention, that of providing for their safety seems to be the first.’ More than 215 years later, we all agree on the importance of protecting the people. However, this House, today, finds itself debating the question of just how best should the government protect the people.
“In 2001, Congress enacted many sweeping changes to our nation’s anti-terrorism laws, including the formulas by which states would receive homeland security grants through the passage of the USA PATRIOT ACT. Under the PATRIOT ACT, each state is guaranteed to receive 0.75 percent, and each territory 0.25 percent, of the total amount appropriated each year for terrorism preparedness grants. The balance of the funds is then distributed to each state and territory on the basis of population.
“In hindsight, we can see that this system of allocation is flawed. For example, in FY2005, the minimum allocation for each state is $11.25 million. Using that total, based on current Census numbers, the State of Wyoming would receive a minimum guarantee of 22 dollars and 23 cents per person in homeland security grants while the State of California would receive a minimum guarantee of just 31 cents per person. In other words, the Federal government would allocate approximately 7,100 percent more funding per capita at a minimum to the State of Wyoming than it would to the State of California for homeland security grants.
“That is why I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 1544 and voted to support the bill in the Homeland Security Committee. It is the responsibility of this government not only to ensure that we are protecting the people, but also to ensure that we do so in an efficient and measured fashion.
“Let us be clear about one point: H.R. 1544 does not eliminate minimum guarantees for the states. Under this legislation, each state, regardless of population, would receive a minimum of 0.25 percent of the total amount appropriated each year for terrorism preparedness grants.
“H.R. 1544, however, does require the government to move away from its arbitrary approach to anti-terrorism funding toward a more rational approach. Rather than continuing to simply allow homeland security grant programs to become Federal cash cows for states and localities, this legislation focuses our efforts on what is truly important, namely, our nation’s vulnerabilities.
“To accomplish that goal, H.R. 1544 requires the states to prepare a homeland security plan that describes the capabilities that communities must possess and risk factors that must be addressed. I understand that many states, including my home state of Georgia, have already created extensive homeland security plans. We must ensure, however, that all states are participants in this process. It should not fall squarely on the shoulders of the Federal government to plan and provide for homeland security efforts. The states and the Federal government must work together to achieve this common goal.”
H.R. 1544 will now be sent to the U.S. Senate for additional consideration.