Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2006

Schumer, Menendez: After 2 Wake-Up Calls Chertoff Must Change Course – Senators Unveil Plan To Restore Funding For NY, NJ And Mass Transit In Homeland Security Bill This Week

With Two New Threats Revealed in As Many Months, How Many Wake-Up Calls Do the Feds Need? Homeland Security Appropriations Bill On Senate Floor This Week, Schumer and Menendez to Offer Amendments to Significantly Boost Federal Funding for New York and New Jersey and Transit Security

With the announcement of a new terror plot on New York City’s transportation system coming on the one-year anniversary of the London bombings today U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Robert Menendez slammed Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and said he must change course on terror funding. This week’s terror plot is the second plot unveiled since Secretary Chertoff cut New York’s high threat funding by 40%. Today Schumer and Menendez announced their plans to restore funding this week in the Senate.

“Its shocking that after two confirmed terror threats to New York in as many months Secretary Chertoff remains as stubborn as he has been,” Schumer said. “I don’t know how many wake up calls Chertoff needs before he understands that New York is in the crosshairs of those who wish to do us harm. The feds need to and help us protect New York, instead of asking us to fight terror blindfolded with one hand tied behind our backs”

"Nearly 5 years after September 11, the Bush administration still insists on awarding homeland security grants based on whims and not on risk. The 9-11 Commission Report called for Homeland security funding to be based on risk, which is rooted in a simple principle: those who face the greatest risk should receive the greatest resources to confront the risk they face,” Menendez said. While the Bush administration continues along their misguided path, terrorists continue to plot and scheme. That is why I will introduce an amendment to compel the Bush administration to award grants strictly on a risk-based basis."

In light of these significant funding cuts and the lack of overall funding dedicated to beefing up subway and bus security in New York and across the County, Schumer and Menendez announced their plans to offer two amendments to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill which is scheduled to be on the Senate floor on Monday. The first would change the allocation on much of the homeland security funding to a threat based formula. (BP I NEED SOME DEETS)

The second amendment would increase funding for transit security by $300 million and would specifically:

• Provide an additional $200 million for DHS’s Transit Security grant program on top of $150 million already in the bill. The transit security grant program provides critical funding to subway and bus operators across the country, allowing them to purchase vital security equipment, such as closed circuit television systems and bomb sniffing dogs.

• Create a $50 million transit security competitive research and development grant program. The new program would give out grants to universities, private companies, and governments to develop chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive detectors for mass transit stations, rail cars, and buses.

• Provide $50 million to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for staff overtime incurred during periods of high alert. The primary expense incurred by the city during times of heightened alert is overtime for law enforcement and first responders. In light of this recent threat, the NYPD deployed armed police officers at tunnels across the city. In addition, during past periods of high alert, the city has stationed a police officer at every subway station and platform in the city.

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